Christmas Greetings - Jerusalem 1917
It was a very special Christmas, December 11th 1917 in Jerusalem. General Edmund Allenby and his forces entered into the city through the Jaffa Gate. The general commanded the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, a British Empire Military formation. Miraculously, they had captured Jerusalem without a shot being fired and the city liberated after 400 years of Ottoman rule. I decided to make this, the subject of this years Christmas Card after being reminded this week of these momentous events in 1917. I based it on a sketch made over 20 years ago while taking notes during a YWAM School of Jewish Studies. Would you believe I had never seen photos of this famous event until this week! So I decided to revisit the sketch and made a few changes...The story behind the remarkable event is even more amazing and ought to make us wonder and reflect. Because General Allenby, as a child had asked his mother what to pray for - His mother said, “Pray that you may be of service to the Jews” He was a devout Christian and when he became a British General, it so happened he was the General sent to take command of the British forces in the region. God was indeed answering prayers he had prayed as a child. He was the one sent to liberate Jerusalem!. When he entered the city, he would not ride into Jerusalem on horseback, he said “Because he did not want to ride over the the flagstones where his Lord had carried His Cross” His attitude of reverence and humility a stark contrast to all the other conquerors of this world. Some thoughts for Christmas - When the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ reigns in our lives.....He shall reign over the Kingdoms of this world! Christ in us - God with us! Immanuel!
From original notes
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