THE EMBRACE BLOG
Finding Hope in Hard Places: A Reflection from Bethlehem
Salim Munayer, Professor of Theology at Bethlehem Bible College, reflects on the hope he has found in the scriptures amid the 15 months of war in Gaza. He calls on us, as Christians, to act on that hope and bear testimony to it.
Longing for Light: A Christmas Reflection
Light weaves its way through our Christian understanding of the world. “Let there be light” is recorded in Genesis as God’s first creative act. There are, however, times when the world feels very dark indeed and we may be wondering where the light has gone. Has God abandoned us?
How do we hold on to hope as the Middle East conflict persists?
Against a backdrop of prolonged and escalating conflict in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Lebanon, it is hard not to feel overwhelmed by the violence and suffering. As the conflict and violence persists, how can we continue to trust in God? How can we be steadfast in prayer, even when circumstances appear hopeless?
St Porphyrius of Gaza: Is history repeating itself?
St Porphyrius, the first Bishop of Gaza, founded the church in Gaza City that still bears his name. The stories recorded of this life are strikingly similar to those of Christians in Gaza today.
My Passover: A holiday of reflection and difficult questions
As a Jewish-Israeli, I carry much pain in our violent reality, but perhaps my truer human pain is the fear of taking a public stance against the continuation of this war, against violence from both sides, and most of all the loss of human compassion.
Reflections from the West Bank: how faith is overcoming fear
While the attention of the world media has been on the catastrophic situation in Gaza, life in the West Bank has also become intolerable. Embrace’s David McColl shares his experiences of meeting partners for the first time in the West Bank - and draws parallels between their compassion and the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Easter Reflections from the Middle East
Our Christian partners in the Middle East reflect on what the message of Easter means for them, and for the world, this year.
100 Days of the War in Gaza: Finding Hope through Lament
The war in Gaza has now been raging for over 100 Days. Amid such unrelenting death and destruction is it possible to still hold onto hope?
A Christmas Message From Archbishop Angaelos
As we look forward to the birth of the Christ Child, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, reflects on what the nativity story means for Christians today and how we should respond