Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org
A seven-pointed Christmas star
By Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader :
- On the Sunday preceding Christmas, Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa celebrated the Christmas Eve Mass at the Holy Family Church in Gaza, to tell the world that this year's Christmas brings renewed hope and optimism, which is much needed by the people of Gaza, especially those who have been staying in the church for over two years, namely since the start of the brutal war waged against the Palestinian people in Gaza. How beautiful it was to see the smiling faces of children again. Most of them had spent their early years in this church which welcomed them during times of war, hardship, and distress. It served as a nurturing mother to their families and parents while they spent most of their time praying in the church that bears the name of the Holy Family.
- Furthermore, we note that this feast is also special, as it bears the number 2025, and this number is even displayed on the Christmas cake for this year. This feast, celebrated from one generations to the next, is not short-lived, it is rather as old as this Jubilee which the Church has initiated throughout the world through pilgrimages, especially to the Vatican, after the Holy Door was opened on the eve of the feast last year by the late Pope Francis. His successor, Pope Leo, will close it on the Feast of the Epiphany, marked on January 6th of the new year.
- The Jubilee also borne the title of hope, as talks and sermons in churches dealt with this wonderful "virtue", which if abandoned by the believers, they would fall into the trap of despair, hopelessness, and a feeling of disappointment. Yet, as Saint Paul says, "Hope does not disappoint," therefore, the Church, emerging from its grief following the passing away of the late Pope, who left pioneering humanitarian and spiritual impressions, has moved to joy by welcoming Pope Leo XIV, who is celebrating Christmas for the first time as pontiff. The Church nowadays is proud of his leadership, which has shown that he is continuing what his predecessor had started or rather what his predecessors had launched, as most of whom have been canonized.
- Proceeding to Bethlehem which, after the bleak darkness of war, illuminated its Christmas Manger Square a few days ago. The presence of the various shades of the Palestinian community was bright and diverse, as for whom we plead with God that they may always remain united by demanding in the first place ending the occupation, and then for looking forward to a bright and honorable future for the Palestinian people, their independent state, and their freedom after their long struggle. Greetings are conveyed to the patient and steadfast people of Palestine, and for whom we offer our prayers for the grace of a peace that is not governed by self-interest, but rather based on justice, equality, and full respect for human rights, for all.
- . In Jordan, as His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein received the heads of churches--conveying to them well wishes marking the advent of Christmas--accompanied by Muslim leaders from Jordan and in Palestine, while His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein Ibn Abdullah II lit the Christmas tree in the mosaic city of Madaba, and with the successive visits of the prime minister, the speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, and the governors to various churches, we thank the Lord for the 25 years of this century since Christmas was declared an official holiday in 1999, which was the first Christmas of His Majesty's reign. This commendable tradition has been firmly established since 2000, and today we celebrate the silver jubilee of this shared Christmas, a unifying national holiday. We furthermore, thank God for the noble reign of His Majesty the King, who, from the very first Christmas of his reign, sought to create a familial atmosphere that we experience nowadaus with all due respect and appreciation for this noble and historic initiative.
- This Christmas, we plead with God that a new Christmas will dawn with the return of pilgrims to our Holy Land. The war that took place over the past years has impacted the presence of our brothes and sister pilgrims from around the world, while the COVID-19 pandemic has further affected tourism globally. From this premise, we extend this Christmas an invitation to all pilgrims worldwide who wish to come to the Holy Land to acquire the spiritual experience that pilgrims receive when visiting the holy sites, where faith is renewed and hope is strengthened.
- We also focus attention to the fact that in 2030 we will celebrate the bicentennial of the Baptism of Lord Jesus Christ. This event necessitates serious preparation in the field of religious tourism to accommodate the millions of people who will come to our beloved Jordan and be blessed by its stability, security, and the holy water in which Jesus Christ was baptized 2,000 years ago. This achievement prompts undertaking a responsible approach to launch mechanisms of cooperation by various community members in the tourism sector, despite challenges and regional circumstances that affect us. Nevertheless, we aspire to witness a flourishing and prosperous period for religious tourism in preparation for 2030 that befits the significance of the event and the sanctity of the site. Happy anniversary are conveyed to our dear Jordan, with its seven-pointed star, to its King to the Crown Prince, to the people, and to the security apparatuses.
