Not wanting to politicise the season inappropriately, but to comment on a walk that many read of daily on the BBC:
BBC correspondent Aleem Maqbool keeps an on line diary in text and video as he walks from Nazareth to Bethlehem, retracing a journey made by Joseph and Mary in the Christmas story told by Luke the Evangelist.
To write of such a journey cannot fail to raise political questions. And of course that is why its a news story. But its also central to the story of this season, and hardly inappropriate in a religion that has long inspired pilgrimage.
I have no doubt that Aleem will make comment on the Peace message of the angels in those fields above Bethlehem as he passes by. And in the light of that message is he to ignore the massive wall ("security barrier" / "apartheid wall") he faces as he makes the journey? Or the fear of those that cower behind it on either side? Is he to ignore the inconvenience it is to those Palestinians who hold agricultural land the other side of it, and face long waits at checkpoints every time they need to work it? Is he to ignore the anger of the Palestinians at their lot in life? Or for that matter the anger of the Israelis at their situation? Is he to ignore the reports of Israeli raids like that which took place Tuesday just miles from where he was walking? Or any attacks by Palestinian militants? Is he to ignore the poverty, or the indifference to that poverty? Is he to ignore the claims of Jews that the whole land either side of the wall is theirs? Or for that matter similar claims of Palestinians?
I hope he is able to tell the story of his journey well. And I hope we can hear well. For that is the first step of reconciliation. I hope you have the guts to return to The road to Bethlehem daily. My challenge to you is this. If Aleem Maqbool seems biased and it makes you angry, listen all the same, and recognise that you are hearing a story contrary to that you normally hear - and that is a good thing. Recognise that he is Palestinian, and his feelings are valid if nothing else. If he arouses in you indignation at what the Israelis are doing, you may just need to recognise he is being biased, and make up your mind to read the Israeli perspective sometime. The more pople who engage with each side of the story the more pressure there will be for a just and lasting settement
There are inappropriate attempts to use the message of the season. I think this was one: Religious leaders condemn anti-Israel carols in church. Time religious affairs reporter Ruth Gledhill clearly thought so: 'Lightning rod for anti-Semites' and Israeli Ambassador condemns carol service are both on her blog.
Peace isn't ignoring the other view, or just shutting them up. Peace is about the welfare and wellbeing of both sides in any conflict. That remains my prayer this Christmas season.
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