“Joy shared is hope multiplied.”

Dear Friends in Hope,

As we light the fourth Advent candle, our hearts come together in gratitude and joy. Advent is not just a season on the calendar — it’s a living reminder that hope is born again when we give. In a world that can feel cold and heavy, your generosity brings warmth and dignity to families in Bethlehem and beyond .

On December 12, our community came alive at the Rock & Carol Christmas Night , organized by Holy Land Trust — a celebration of music, joy, and shared purpose.

Over 300 attendees , friends, and supporters gathered under one roof, not just to enjoy the festive spirit but to give with open hearts. Because of you, we raised vital funds that are already being turned into food coupons for families struggling to put meals on their tables this season. Your laughter, your applause, and your support were not just part of an event — they were acts of solidarity that ripple into real lives .

This year, winter has arrived sharply . The early mornings and long, cold nights are especially hard for children and elders alike. In Bethlehem, where the winter chill cuts deep and resources are thin, families face the season without the basic comforts many of us take for granted. Yet even in this cold, your compassion is a warm light of hope — an embodiment of Advent’s promise.

Here’s where your continued generosity can make an immediate difference:

Water tanks — 20 still needed at $500 each

Firewood — 35 tons still needed at $500 per ton

Health caravan — $10,000

Medical supplies — $5,000

Your support goes directly to keeping homes warm, giving children clean water, bringing medical care to those who cannot afford it, and ensuring families can face the winter with dignity — not fear.

Imagine a child in Bethlehem stepping into the cold with a warm cup of water, a blanket tucked under their coat, and a heart eased by knowing someone — maybe you — cared enough to give. This is the real Christmas Spirit in action : not just celebrating joy, but strengthening hope in the lives of real people.

As the season of giving reaches its peak and the world prepares to celebrate the birth of peace and light, we invite you to join us once more in solidarity with our neighbors who need it most .

Lighting Another Candle

Today, it is us who light the candle — a candle for Awda’s soul , in gratitude for a life lived with dignity and love, which is a candle for the people of Umm Al-Kheir , who continue to face hardship with resilience and courage .

In the cold of winter, this candle is a sign of warmth, presence, and solidarity. At Christmas, it reminds us that joy is found in standing together and choosing compassion, even in difficult times. Through giving, light becomes action — and hope is kept alive.

“When people stand with us, we feel warmth in our hearts, even on the hardest days. ”

– Residents of Umm Al-Kheir

Our work is rooted in the belief that transformation begins when voices are heard, dignity is protected, and communities are empowered to shape their own future.

Said Durzi Zarzar,

TRAVEL & ENCOUNTER PROGRAM MANAGER

Holy Land Trust

© 2025 Holy Land Trust