Monthly Letter
BETHLEHEM – the city of the First Breakfast

December 2024

Today Bethlehem is a city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine, about six miles south of Jerusalem. It has a population of under 30,000, mostly dependent (when there isn’t a war on) on pilgrimage tourism.

While for many hundreds of years it has been a city of Arab Christians, Bethlehem now has a majority of Arab Muslims. While it is still home to a significant population of Palestinian Christians, this community has dwindled significantly, from about 85 per cent in 1950 to about 10 per cent today. Bethlehem has become encircled by the notorious wall and by dozens of illegal Israeli settlements, which significantly hinder the ability of its citizens to access their land and livelihoods, which has contributed to the exodus.

In Hebrew Bethlehem is בֵּית לֶחֶם Bēṯ Leḥ em and in Arabic is بيت لحم BaytLaḥm.

The Arabic name for Bethlehem literally means "house of meat", while the Hebrew name for the city literally means "house of bread". Isn’t it a wonderful coincidence that Jesus, the Bread of Life, was born in a place called “house of bread”? That’s why when I receive the bread (and wine) – the Body (and Blood) of Jesus – in Communion at Christmas I don’t think of it as sharing in the Last Supper, but in the First Breakfast.

A very Happy Christmas to you and yours,

The Very Rev Geoffrey Marshall

Church Services

22
Dec

Morning Worship

Sunday 22nd December 2024, 9:30am to 10:30am

24
Dec

Carols Round the Tree

Tuesday 24th December 2024, 6pm to 7pm

24
Dec

Midnight Mass

Tuesday 24th December 2024, 11:30pm to 12:30am

25
Dec

Christmas Day - Christmas Prayers

Wednesday 25th December 2024, 9:30am to 10:30am

29
Dec

Gathered Communion Service preceded by Breakfast in the Church Hall at 9.30 am

Sunday 29th December 2024, 9:30am to 10:30am

05
Jan

Holy Communion

Sunday 5th January 2025, 9:30am to 10:30am

Forthcoming Events

Children's Church is always available at the Sunday morning service in both Morley and Smalley churches.
Safeguarding

As a church we take safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults very seriously. If you have any concerns however small, please contact: the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: Lisa Marriott lisa.marriott@derby.anglican 01332 388678 or the Priest in Charge: kateplant2610@gmail.com 01332 834928 or the Parish Safeguarding Officer: caroldavidson2808@gmail.com 07747 871560