War In Gaza Affects Christmas Celebrations In Bethlehem

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The festive spirit of Christmas in Bethlehem, a city revered as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, was overshadowed this year by the ongoing war in Gaza and its far-reaching consequences.

Christians gathered solemnly at the Church of the Nativity on Tuesday, marking a subdued holiday season amidst a backdrop of conflict and suffering.

For the second consecutive year, Manger Square, the heart of Bethlehem, lacked its usual grandeur.

The traditional Christmas tree and vibrant decorations were absent, replaced by prayers and quiet reflection.

A small scout parade provided a rare moment of cheer as children carried signs pleading for peace, one reading, “Our children want to play and laugh.”

Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salman explained the decision to scale back celebrations.

“This year, we limited our joy,” he said, emphasizing the somber mood in the community. Midnight Mass and other prayers, led by the Catholic Church’s Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, focused on hope and resilience amidst adversity.

The Patriarch, who recently visited Gaza, painted a grim picture of the destruction and despair he witnessed but commended the people’s determination to survive.

“They don’t give up,” he said. “So you should not give up either. Never,” he added.

In Gaza, where Christians have taken refuge in the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius, the sentiment was even bleaker.

“This Christmas carries the stench of death and destruction,” said George al-Sayegh, who has been sheltering in the church for weeks.

“There is no joy, no festive spirit. We don’t even know who will survive until the next holiday,” he emphasised.

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Christian communities grappled with challenges of their own.

In Syria, protests erupted in Damascus over the burning of a Christmas tree in a rebel-controlled town, reflecting fears among Christians about their future under Islamist-led leadership.

“If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here anymore,” said one demonstrator.

Meanwhile, in Europe, Christmas brought mixed emotions. In Germany, a deadly attack at a Christmas market prompted calls for healing and unity. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged his citizens to reject hatred and violence, affirming, “Hatred must not have the final word.”

In Paris, the Notre-Dame Cathedral hosted its first Christmas Mass since reopening after the devastating 2019 fire. Thousands gathered to celebrate the occasion, reflecting a moment of hope amid the global challenges.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis led a poignant Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. He urged the faithful to think of the victims of war and violence, reiterating his condemnation of the devastating Israeli strikes in Gaza. “Think of the wars, of the machine-gunned children, of the bombs on schools or hospitals,” he implored.

Despite the grim realities, the Pope launched Jubilee 2025, a Catholic celebration themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” aiming to inspire faith and resilience. As he opened the “Holy Door” of St. Peter’s Basilica, he reminded the world of the need for unity and compassion in troubled times.

As families across the globe gathered for traditional Christmas meals and gift exchanges, the war-torn regions of the Middle East stood as a stark reminder of the enduring challenges to peace. In Bethlehem, Gaza, and beyond, prayers for hope and healing marked a Christmas overshadowed by conflict.