It is a sin and darkness you willingly embrace The sermon delivered by Reverend Dr. Munther I
Munther Isaac
0.42
3 June 2026
13 June 2026
"It is a sin and darkness you willingly embrace."
These were the powerful words of Reverend Dr. Munther Isaac, a Palestinian Christian pastor, during his sermon Christ in the Rubble, delivered at the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem on 23 December 2023.
In the sermon, Rev. Isaac condemned what he described as global silence and inaction in the face of immense human suffering. He challenged political leaders, institutions, and faith communities to confront the realities unfolding before them rather than look away.
Using striking theological imagery, he reflected on the story of Christ's birth under occupation and hardship, arguing that if Jesus were born today, he would be found among those enduring displacement, loss, and destruction.
Rev. Isaac also questioned the credibility of nations and institutions that champion human rights and international law while failing to uphold those principles consistently during times of crisis.
One of the central messages of the sermon was that moments of profound human suffering serve as a test of the world's moral conscience, revealing whether values such as justice, dignity, and compassion are applied universally or selectively.
The sermon resonated far beyond Bethlehem, drawing international attention and sparking discussions about morality, accountability, and the responsibilities of the global community in times of conflict.
