LEICESTER, United Kingdom – A song by a Bethlehem resident composed in collaboration with a London-based group has been praised by Pope Francis in the run-up to Christmas.
Bethlehem University student Youstina Safar collaborated with the band Ooberfuse on the song Hear the angels cry. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales released a statement saying the song “resonates with the conviction that hope for a better future arises in the hearts of humanity.”
In a message to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, the Vatican said Pope Francis “was pleased to learn of the Bethlehem Song project.”
The document, signed by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, says the pope believes the project for this year’s Christmas will seek to draw attention to the “sublime significance” of the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
“Indeed, the land which was the home of the Prince of Peace is called to be a place of meeting, dialogue and hope for all, and His Holiness hopes that this musical initiative will inspire many people this Christmas to pray for a new blossoming of fraternity. solidarity, reconciliation and peace in the Holy Land,” the document states.
The bishops’ conference noted that there would be no Christmas tree or traditional festivities in Bethlehem this year in response to the thousands of deaths in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Holy Land. Instead, the focus will be on praying for peace in the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square in Bethlehem.
“In the midst of despair, our song Hear the angels cry is a testament to the enduring spirit of hope in Bethlehem,” Safar said.
“While traditional Christmas displays may dim this year in remembrance of the lives lost in Gaza, our voices unite to affirm that hope will never succumb to darkness,” she added.
Cherrie Anderson, of the band Ooberfuse, said that when they embarked on the music project in June, they never anticipated the Christmas displays in Bethlehem being canceled.
“The dim lights of Place de la Manger pay tribute to those who tragically lost their lives in the Holy Land. Hear the angels cry embodies Jesus’ message of love, which prevails even in the face of despair,” she said.
Anderson also said proceeds from the song would directly benefit those suffering in Gaza, “especially children who are rebuilding the fragments of their lives.”
As a partner in this project, John Handal, Bethlehem music producer and owner of RJ Music, played a crucial role in bringing this collaboration to fruition. His commitment to the project reflects a shared vision of using music as a beacon of hope and healing in the region.
“It’s an honor to be part of a project that transcends borders and brings together artists from Bethlehem and London,” he said. “Hear the angels cry is a testament to the enduring power of music to convey messages of peace and resilience. Through our collaboration, we aim to shine a light on the indomitable spirit of Bethlehem and support those affected by conflict in the Holy Land.
The company says Hear the angels cry is not just a song but a heartfelt call for unity, compassion and the enduring power of hope, even in the most difficult circumstances.
“This Christmas, the world is invited to join in this message of solidarity and support for those affected by the ongoing struggles in the Holy Land,” it reads.
Funds raised from the sale of the song will be donated to Friends of the Holy Land, a non-political Christian charity registered in the UK. Its mission is to ensure a resilient and sustainable Christian community in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and Jordan – the part of the world Christians call the Holy Land.
The charity notes that at the start of the 20th century, Christians made up around 29 percent of the Holy Land’s total population, while today they make up less than 2 percent.
“Without support, the holy places of the Bible, the cradle of Christianity, could become cultural museums without any Christian presence,” we can read.
