"O Little Besieged Bethlehem "

O little town of Bethlehem
We sing of thee tonight
We give gifts to each other but
We care not for your plight
Far away from our comforts
Your people live in fears
Their lands taken and walled within
No one to wipe their tears

O little besieged Bethlehem
Your children can't be free
To sing in peace like we do now
Occupation they see
For walls are built around them
And settlers build new homes
Destroying olive trees and lives
And saying 'Israel owns'

O little besieged Bethlehem
Once born in you there was
A peacemaker the Messiah
Who heard the oppressed's cause
Yet today those who claim Him
Ignore your quiet cries
And ship money and weapons to
Help those who colonize

O little besieged Bethlehem
Tonight a remnant prays
For peace and justice as Christ taught
Remembering His ways
For He was also born in
Occupation and strife
And one day soon He will return
With justice, grace and life

*****

Art: "Born in Captivity"