“Give, and it will be given to you… For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

– Luke 6:38

Dear Friends,

As we enter the Second Advent , we continue our journey of compassion and giving — a journey that transforms trauma into hope for families across Bethlehem and the South Hebron Hills . At Holy Land Trust, we witness daily how communities rise with courage, even in the hardest circumstances.

I n Umm Al-Kheir , families rise before dawn to fetch water and prepare their children for the day, facing winter’s harshness with steadfast resilience. In Bethlehem , Christian families struggle with school fees and basic necessities as economic pressures deepen. Behind each challenge are stories of perseverance, dignity, and faith.

As we prepare ourselves for Christmas…

Bethlehem — the birthplace of Jesus — is coming alive.

Christmas trees are being lit, decorations brighten the streets, choirs rehearse, and families gather for celebrations that awaken hope. Each light, each ornament, each joyful sound reminds us of the beauty of giving and the power of community .

This season invites us to bring back hope and happiness to the lives of children, to fill homes with warmth, and to help families feel the true spirit of Christmas once again.

Your generosity this Advent can bring relief and dignity:

Food Coupons for 100 Bethlehem Families – $10,000 To ensure families have food on their tables this Christmas season.

Firewood for Umm Al-Kheir – 35 tons at $500 each To protect families from the freezing cold in one of the harshest areas of the region.

Water Tanks – 20 tanks at $500 each To secure a basic human necessity in communities with scarce access to clean water.

This Advent, we invite you to stand with families who continue to face hardship with courage. Your compassion can become warmth for a home , water for a village , and hope for a child’s future .

Together, we bring the spirit of Christmas to life.

This Advent’s Featured Family: The Sleiman Children

This week, we shine a light on the Sleiman family from Tequa. Their home was demolished a few years ago, leaving the children without stability or warmth.

Thanks to the solidarity of people like you, their house is now rebuilt . This winter, the family will finally return to a safe, warm home with their own rooms once again.

“It feels like we got our life back. I have my room again… it’s warm, cozy, and it feels like our family can breathe again. ”

– Mariam, the eldest daughter

Her words remind us that rebuilding a home is not just construction — it is restoring childhood, safety, and hope .

Hope grows where compassion is shared. This Advent, let us be the hands that lift others toward warmth, dignity, and life.

Lara Nassar Mitri,

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Holy Land Trust

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