Bethlehem Cancels Christmas
Ishtiaq Ahmed
London: Bethlehem, the town of Jesus‘s birth, has cancelled Christmas in solidarity with Gaza.
At this time of year, Bethlehem would traditionally be packed with tourists and pilgrims from all over the world, but its streets are empty.
Even the Church of the Nativity, built on the site of the stable where the faithful believe Jesus was born, will remain closed.
Instead, there is simply a baby lying in rubble, symbolic of scenes in Gaza.
Gaza is just 50 miles away, where more than 20,000 people have died, with thousands of children among the dead.
Reverend Munther Isaac believes that the cancellation of Christmas at the very place of Jesus birth sends out a very strong message.
“This year, Christmas feels different.”
“This year we are not celebrating.”
“It is impossible to celebrate when there is a genocide taking place in our land.”
“It is impossible to celebrate when our children are being killed and massacred in Gaza.”
The war has extended its shadow across the West Bank. Over 900 people from Bethlehem are now detained in Israeli jails, and seven have been killed here since the present war began.
Related: https://thepenpk.com/oddball-christmas-songs-that-steal-the-show/
Worshippers from Bethlehem are able to reach the worship activities. Not even Palestinian Christians from outside Bethlehem can get in.
The cancellation of Christmas at the birthday place of Christianity is a bold and courageous act of solidarity with the people of Gaza. It sends a powerful message by drawing the world’s attention to the merciless genocide of Palestinians perpetrated by Israel.
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