Leaders of Christian churches in the Holy Land have released a joint Christmas message declaring the joyful news of the Nativity and calling for an end to hostilities across the region. Source: CNA.
“In the midst of these dark days of continuing conflict and uncertainty in our region, we, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, remain steadfast in proclaiming to our local congregations and the wider world the eternal Christmas message of the True Light shining in the darkness: the birth of Our Lord Jesus in Bethlehem,” the December 13 message reads.
“For in Christ’s nativity,” they wrote, “the light of God’s salvation first came into the world, enlightening all who would receive him, both then and now, and offering them ‘grace upon grace’ to overcome the dark forces of evil that ceaselessly conspire to bring about the destruction of God’s creation.”
Invoking the spirit of Christmas, leaders of Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Syriac, Armenian, and other churches gave thanks to God for the recent ceasefire on the Lebanese front of the Israeli conflict.
The message further urged that the same spirit “be expanded into Gaza and many other places, bringing an end to the wars that have plagued our part of the world.”
The leaders also called for the release of all captives, the return of the displaced, treatment of the sick and wounded, the rebuilding of institutions, and the restoration of unjustly seized or threatened properties.
Currently, the Israel-Gaza front of the Middle East conflict remains locked in as Hamas-run Palestinian health officials claim over 45,000 casualties in Gaza since the start of the war on October 7, 2023.
Additionally, Christians in neighbouring Syria now face heightened uncertainty after jihadist rebel forces rapidly toppled Bashaar al-Assad’s government earlier this month.
The patriarchs and heads of Jerusalem’s churches appealed to all Christians during the season of Christmas and beyond to pray and work toward peace “both in Christ’s homeland and wherever there is conflict and strife.”
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Heads of Christian churches in Holy Land call for end of war in Gaza in Christmas message (By Madalaine Elhabbal, CNA)
