Jesus’ home has many names too. It is called the Holy Land by the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. In our Christian tradition we call this land holy because God walked on this land in the person of Jesus who was both God and Man. Today the land is divided; it is a land which is still very much at war. Part of the land is called Palestine and it is home to many Arabs who are either Muslim or Christian. Other parts of the land are known as the State of Israel which is the Jewish people's home. Within these two lands we find many cities, towns and regions which hold the history of our Christian faith and the faith we share with our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters.
It’s all a little complicated and the fighting is very sad.
It would be nice if all of God’s children could just be friends. But we all have problems with that sometimes. We want what we think is ours and we aren’t always willing to share. When we are selfish or afraid of losing what we believe is ours then we start to see our friends or even our family members as enemies. That makes Jesus very sad.
Please pray for peace, a real peace – one which is from the heart for the people who live in the Holy Land. That would make Jesus very happy!
A Child’s Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land
Jesus, what we call the Holy Land You call Home.
Bring peace to this Holy Ground.
Bring peace to the hearts of all who live on this soil.
Bring peace to the souls of all who visit your home.
Jesus, bring peace to my heart.
Jesus, bring peace to my home
And help me to be a good example of peace
to my friends and my family.
Amen.
As we travel together this next month, you will hear names like Jerusalem – this is the city where Jesus was crucified, died, was buried and rose from the dead. Bethlehem is the small town outside of Jerusalem where Jesus was born. I am staying just outside the gates to Bethlehem.
Cana is the site of Jesus’ first miracle where He turned water into wine. Nazareth is the town where Jesus lived when he was a boy. Galilee is the region or area, just North and East of Nazareth. Jesus made special friends here, we call the disciples. He preached here and healed many people here.
But there are stories from this land which go back thousands of years BEFORE Jesus was born. You will hear the names of cities like Jericho and Hebron. This little piece of land also has many famous bodies of water such as the Jordan River which runs from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. The Red Sea is where Moses parted the waters so the people could leave Egypt as free men and women. Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. Jesus walked on water on the Sea of Galilee.
You will also hear about Mountains; these are always high places where one feels close to God, or where God chooses to reveal himself. There is Mt Sinai where Moses received the 1O commandments and talked to God like a friend. Mt Carmel is the site of Elijah’s showdown with the prophets of Baal. Mt Tabor is where Jesus was transfigured into His glorious presence with Moses and Elijah before his best friends.
There is a lot to see in the Holy Land. I look forward to sharing my adventures with all of you. Until next time, try to bring peace to your little piece of the world.
If you get a chance. Send me an e-mail and tell me one thing you did today to bring peace to the world, to your home, or to your own heart.
Shalom,
Aunt Anne
aharman@ignatius.net
