This Year Christmas Celebration has been Cancelled See Why

Bishop William Shomali, serving as the General Vicar and Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine, has sparked a thoughtful discussion on the celebration of Christmas in the midst of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

Expressing concern over the loss of thousands of Palestinian lives, injuries, and the destruction of numerous homes, the Bishop raises a poignant question about the appropriateness of festivities during such challenging times.

As the global Christian community marks the miraculous birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the article delves into the historical and cultural roots of Christmas traditions. 

It notes the significance of the Magi, often considered kings from Ethiopia, Persia, and India, and highlights the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, casting them as Palestinian refugees. 

The Bishop draws attention to the complexities of Palestine's history, which encompasses Greek and Roman temples, along with enduring Jewish, Christian, and Muslim narratives.

While Christmas is typically celebrated with joy in Palestine, featuring festive lights, Christmas trees, religious processions, traditional Palestinian food, and prayers, this year's atmosphere is overshadowed by the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

 Bethlehem, a town with a profound place in the global imagination, is usually the epicenter of these celebrations.

 The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, adds a deep historical layer, with parts of the original basilica church dating back to 339 CE still present beneath the surface.

The article also touches on the less commemorated biblical narrative of the Holy Family's flight into Egypt, highlighting the grim reality of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. 

With the death toll nearing 20,000 and over 50,000 injured due to Israeli military attacks, the plight of more than two million refugees, constituting 85% of the population, is emphasized. 

The destruction of homes and the staggering number of casualties, especially among children, intensifies the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis.

Drawing parallels between the myth of Herod's slaughter of the innocents and the harsh reality of the Israeli military's actions, the article underscores the symbolic message within the Christmas narrative. 

It challenges the Euro-American world to reconsider its stance, emphasizing the ANC's commendable refusal to endorse what is referred to as "bloodlust." The plea is for a global shift in perspective, recognizing the lives of Palestinians as equally valuable and deserving of empathy.

In a call to action, the article urges those celebrating Christmas, whether from a religious or secular standpoint, to return the essential message of Jesus' story to Palestine. 

It emphasizes the need for solidarity with the oppressed and a commitment to identifying with the poor family fleeing persecution, echoing the central theme of the Christian gospel – the oneness of humanity.