Welcome, members and friends of New England Synod congregations, to our annual sale of handcrafted Christmas gifts from Palestine. This is the fifth year of our sale. This is not a fundraiser. It is an annual promotion of handcrafts created and sold by our friends in and around Bethlehem.

Palestinian families on the West Bank and Gaza are living through another year under Israeli occupation. The simple message of this annual sale is that the human spirit of life is not extinguished by stressful circumstances. The long night of imprisonment is also the stage for sparkling creativity. Lights shine in the darkness; the darkness has not overcome it. Bright stars of colored class and shimmering ornaments are created in courtyards and studios near streets patrolled by occupying soldiers. Why not buy one of these handmade gifts and give it to your best friend at Christmas? It will be like passing on a little light of hope.

A resident of Bethlehem on the West Bank, Mitri Raheb, is a spiritual entrepreneur who imagines new building projects and dreams up fresh ways to educate and serve the indigenous people of that legendary town. Through the programs of Christmas Lutheran Church--which he serves as pastor--and several attendant institutions, strong and spirited Palestinian folks dance and sing, study and play, receive health care and social support. This year I invite you to make a tax deductible contribution to the American foundation that serves the people of Bethlehem. Go to http://www.brightstarsbethlehem.org/. Include a gift to Bright Stars of Bethlehem on your charitable giving list this year.

Thank you for visiting this site. I hope you enjoy these distinctive gifts made by Palestinian artisans.

Pastor Jeff Johnson
Peace Lutheran Church
Wayland, Mass