We pray for peace in the Middle East.

Poem: In Bethlehem Tonight

by Wendy Cope and set to music by Jocelyn Hagen

There stands a church in Bethlehem today

Built where the baby in the manger lay

Where Mary touched and kissed his little face;

A place of pilgrimage, a holy place.

O holy Jesus, Everlasting Light,

Let there be peace in Bethlehem tonight.

And once, in better times, I traveled there,

Watched children run around in Manger Square,

Then went into the church's crypt and stood

Before the birthplace of the Son of God.

Now in the little town where Christ was born,

Young men and children die, and mothers mourn.

Wise men have not brought peace to Manger Square.

O hear us as we offer up this prayer:

O holy Jesus, Everlasting Light,

Let there be peace in Bethlehem tonight.