Advent 2019 Week 4

12/22/2019

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Angels sing at the Christmas pageant put on by the School of Hope Kindergarten.

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly...

Matthew 1:18-25 (For the rest of the reading, click here. Follow our Facebook page for daily Scripture and pictures from the ELCJHL schools).

A young Mary and Joseph in the School of Hope Christmas pageant

Give Now and Help the Students of the ELCJHL Blossom During Our #AdventCountdown Giving Campaign

The ELCJHL schools reach deep into the fabric of their respective communities and touch every aspect of life in Palestine. We depend on you to In 2019, your contribution to Opportunity Palestine:

Provided full or partial scholarships to over 1,300 students.
Developed children's extracurricular talents through complimentary after-school programs such as soccer club, chess club, and mediation club.
Produced a film about the successful students of the ELCJHL schools, linked at the end of the email!

Give to Student Scholarships Now!

Bassam’s Success Story

Intro:
Bassam is currently a 5th-grade student here at Dar Al-Kalima School (DAK). He has been attending DAK since Kindergarten and will graduate from the school after the 12th grade. Bassam lives in the village of Battir, currently located in area C. Battir is under Israeli control, which can make it difficult for Bassam to get to and from school successfully.

Overcoming Adversity:
Bassam was born without any hands, which can make daily tasks more difficult for him. Bassam used to struggle with writing, drinking, and eating by himself. After a few years of support and guidance from teachers, and his own determination, Bassam is able to write, eat, and drink by himself.

School Involvement:
Bassam is an excellent, fully engaged student at DAK. He is also very involved in curricular and extracurricular activities. He loves to swim and do art projects. He also enjoys English class, where he helps the other students who are struggling. Bassam truly embodies DAK’s values of belongingness, peace, love, hope, and teamwork.

Bassam hard at work in class.

Contribute to OP and Help ELCJHL Students Blossom!

Left: A party celebrating all the contributions of the teachers at Dar al-Kalima Right: Santa visits the classrooms of Dar al-Kalima

An Advent Message & Prayer

Message: The presence of the Holy Spirit can come into our lives when we least expect it. For both Mary and Joseph, her pregnancy was an unexpected, even frightening event. Yet God was there. Sometimes, God asks us to take a leap of faith and embrace the mystery of his unfolding creation. The journey is always uncertain, yet God's promise, the everlasting life of Jesus, is eternal.

An Advent Prayer: Dear God, allow us to embrace the Holy Spirit when it comes into our lives, trusting in your infinite wisdom and grace. In this journey of accompaniment with Opportunity Palestine, let us have faith and courage to embrace a plan greater than ourselves.

Below, watch our latest film about the ELCJHL schools!
Click here to read our fall newsletter!

Featuring high school students speaking in their own voice, the outcomes of the Lutheran Schools in the Holy Land are shared. The 4 schools start with preschool and continue to Grade 12 with co-educational classrooms and curriculum designed to support inquiry, creativity, leadership with inter-faith dialog, and peace resolution.