Bethlehem's in sight

The Bethlehem decoration I bought in Israel is now hanging from our Christmas tree. This time last year the tree was shining brightly and my bright yellow beanie hat was also back in use as I was just about to complete a running challenge of 2,022 kms in 2022 (approximately 5 kms per day). During those freezing cold runs last December I remembered the words of Little Donkey - 'got to keep on plodding onward / with your precious load! / Don't give up now little donkey / Bethlehem's in sight!' Next year I might do another fundraiser run challenge and I'm inclined towards relief support for residents of Gaza. 

Often when prayers are spoken in my church for Israel, and when videos are shown that make statements about Israel and the 'end times', I try and earth it by recollecting the names and faces of Christians I met in Nazareth and the Galilee region in 2018. These Arab believers and families have lived long in their land as a minority. A Baptist minister-friend said to me a few years ago that it is a sad irony that our closest cousins in the Holy Land have become like forgotten people to many. So I feel prompted to keep them more in sight in 2024 - in my praying, thinking, writing, reading, running.