In Jerusalem and Bethlehem… Gaza’s agony overshadows the joy of Christmas

26th December 2024

2 minutes read

In Jerusalem and Bethlehem… Gaza’s agony overshadows the joy of Christmas

While the world rejoices in celebrating the birth of Jesus, son of Mary, peace be upon them, and markets and streets worldwide shine with Christmas lights, trees, and decorations, Jerusalem and Bethlehem, the blessed city where Christ was born, are shrouded in sorrow.

Yesterday, hundreds gathered at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem to commemorate Christmas amidst a gloomy atmosphere for the second consecutive year, due to the ongoing war in Gaza.

For the second year, no decorations were put up in the area, as tourists and pilgrims, who used to flock to Bethlehem during Christmas, were absent. The ceremonies were limited to prayers, with significant participation from Christian patriarchates.

This reflects the pervasive sadness amid the continued Israeli aggression on Gaza and the daily massacres against Palestinians.

Local and Arab news agencies reported the speech of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, delivered upon his arrival at Manger Square in Bethlehem yesterday.
The Patriarch conveyed a message of solidarity and hope to believers worldwide, noting that this year’s Christmas comes in an atmosphere of grief, with the city’s gates closed, making the celebrations vastly different from previous years.

He added: “This is the last time we will celebrate a sad Christmas. We will not let war stop our lives,” calling on pilgrims from around the world not to fear and to visit Bethlehem.

The Patriarch emphasized that “last year was extremely difficult, but faith and hope give the strength to persevere without surrender.”

He also sent a message of love and peace from the people of Gaza, saying, “I bring you the greetings and Christmas wishes of our brothers in Gaza. I was there yesterday and witnessed their daily lives. They are a people who do not give up, and we too must resist.”

The Patriarch had visited Gaza last Sunday to celebrate Christmas at the Church of the Holy Family in the area.

Traditionally, a large Christmas tree is lit in Manger Square, but local authorities chose to refrain from major festivities for the second year in a row.

In Jerusalem, the celebrations will take on a strictly religious tone, unlike the festivities of previous years.

The festive aspects of New Year’s and Christmas have disappeared due to the war crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces in Gaza. Most churches limited themselves to prayers and religious ceremonies.

Several churches in Jerusalem, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan decided not to put up decorations and canceled events to receive Christmas greetings, intensifying prayers and supplications in hopes of ending the war and the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza.