Jerusalem Church leaders have issued a Christmas message speaking of their continued hope for peace amid ongoing conflict and hardship across the Holy Land.
The Church leaders said they remained “resolute” in proclaiming the message of hope revealed within the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, despite what they described as “difficult times” within the region.
The leaders drew parallels between the current situation and the biblical account of Jesus’ birth, recalling the angel’s message to shepherds to solid aside fear and announcing “excellent news of an ideal joy for all of the people,” as recorded within the Gospel of Luke.
While welcoming a recent ceasefire that has allowed Christian communities within the region to have fun Christmas more publicly this 12 months, the statement cautioned against complacency, noting that violence has continued nonetheless.
“For we’re fully aware that, despite a declared cessation of hostilities, a whole bunch have continued to be killed or suffer grievous injury,” they said.
“Many more have experienced violent assaults against themselves, their properties, and their freedoms— not only within the Holy Land, but in addition in neighbouring countries.”
The Church leaders went on to say that they stand in solidarity with those that are suffering, as they called on Christians and “people of goodwill” world wide to proceed praying and advocating for peace within the land where Christianity was born.
The message also urged believers facing hardship this Christmas to attract strength from their faith, pointing to the instance of Christ and biblical passages that talk of endurance in times of suffering.
The statement concluded with Christmas greetings to Christians world wide, expressing hope that individuals would find joy and peace through God’s love as revealed within the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
“We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, following in the instance of our Lord in His Incarnation, proceed to face in solidarity with all those that are suffering and downcast, and we call upon Christians and others of goodwill world wide to persevere in praying and advocating for a real and just peace within the homeland of our Lord’s birth—and, indeed, throughout the earth,” they said.
In Bethlehem, Christmas celebrations have made a joyous return to town after a two-year pause in solidarity with Palestinians in war-torn Gaza. It follows a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas that got here into effect on 10 October.
A 15-metre Christmas tree was erected in Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem as a part of the festivities.
The Christmas celebrations have rekindled hopes that the technique of reconstruction is across the corner and that tourism – the important source of employment for a majority of families in Bethlehem – will pick up once more.
Speaking to Vatican Radio’s Jean-Charles Putzolu, Bethlehem’s Mayor, Maher Nicola Canawati, said, “After two years of silence, we consider we have now reignited the spirit of Christmas, since the people of Bethlehem needed hope — hope for a greater tomorrow. And that is strictly what we have now done.”
 Jerusalem Church leaders have issued a Christmas message speaking of their continued hope for peace amid ongoing...){kind=link}