Even though more than a year of war has passed, the light of the Child of Bethlehem comes tonight to illuminate the world, it is Christmas.

 

On Tuesday, December 24, a sunny day welcomed the Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, in his traditional entry into Bethlehem. As last year, in a sign of solidarity with the suffering population of Gaza, it was preferred to maintain a more austere and modest atmosphere, avoiding songs, music and traditional Christmas decorations. 

 

On the Way of the Star

The journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem was unchanged and continued as usual. The first stop was at the Greek Orthodox convent of Mar Elias. Afterwards, the Israeli police escorted the Patriarch to Rachel's Tomb, from where he entered Bethlehem. Once he reached the beginning of Star Street, he began the journey on foot accompanied by several Christian scout groups and local faithful gathered for the occasion. Many children were present to welcome the Patriarch, who willingly stopped to greet or wish them well.

 

The Patriarch: “We belong to the light”

Arriving in Manger Square, in front of the Church of the Nativity, the Patriarch called on the faithful present not to abandon hope in these dark times. “Have courage, do not be afraid, we will not allow war to erase our lives,” he said, also bringing greetings from the Christians of Gaza, whom he visited in the previous days.

 

The patriarch's message was full of peace and hope, inviting the faithful not to be overwhelmed by the desperation of destruction but to be bearers of the light of Christ who is born in Bethlehem. 

 

“This Christmas, let us all pray together that the destruction we saw in Gaza, the destruction we see everywhere, even in Palestine, will not destroy our lives. We are stronger, we belong to the light, not the darkness.”

 

The patriarch then addressed pilgrims from all over the world, urging them not to be afraid and to return to the Holy Land soon. 

 

The deputy mayor of Bethlehem, Hanna Hanania, welcomed the Patriarch in the square together with other military and civil authorities. As foreseen by the Status Quo, in front of the Church of the Nativity the Patriarch was awaited by the guardian of the Franciscan fraternity of Bethlehem, friar Luis Enrique Segovia Marín, and by representatives of the Greek Orthodox and Armenian communities.

 

First Vespers of the Vigil

The solemnity of Christmas Eve began in Bethlehem with the celebration of First Vespers in the church of St. Catherine. The parish priest, Father Rami Asakrieh, extended a warm greeting to the patriarch and the authorities present. In the afternoon, the procession to the Grotto of the Nativity immersed the faithful and religious in an atmosphere of profound spirituality, as they contemplated together the Holy Place of Jesus' birth. 

 

Traveling the Lord's alternative paths

Christmas Eve Mass began shortly before midnight in the church of Santa Caterina, packed with local faithful. When Cardinal Pizzaballa intoned the “Gloria,” announcing Christmas, the bells of the Basilica rang out in celebration and the statue of the Child Jesus was unveiled on the altar.

 

In his homily the patriarch reflected on the passage from the Gospel of Luke, inviting the Christian community to follow the example of faith witnessed by the Holy Family. 

 

"Joseph and Mary live the grace of their Christmas, the true Christmas, not in a way, at a time or in circumstances decided by them, or particularly favorable. We can and must, like Joseph and Mary, like the shepherds and the Magi, follow the alternative paths that the Lord shows us, find the right spaces where new styles of reconciliation and brotherhood can be born and grow, make our families and our communities the cradles of the future of justice and peace, which has already begun with the coming of the Prince of Peace."

 

 

The invitation to the Christians of Gaza and Bethlehem: “Do not lose hope”

The Patriarch addressed a message of closeness and a wish of hope to the Christian communities of Gaza and Bethlehem, severely affected by the ongoing conflict. 

 

“I want to thank our brothers in Gaza, whom I was able to meet again recently. I renew to you, dear brothers and sisters, our prayer, our closeness and our solidarity. You are not alone. Truly, you are a visible sign of hope in the midst of the disaster of total destruction that surrounds you. But you are not destroyed, you are still united, firm in hope. Thank you for your wonderful testimony of strength and peace!

 

A thought also goes to you, dear brothers and sisters of Bethlehem. This year too, it has been a sad Christmas for you, marked by insecurity, poverty, and violence. The most important day for you, was once again lived in fatigue and in the expectation of better days. To you too I say: courage! We must not lose hope. Let us renew our trust in God.” 

 

At the end of the mass, the statue of the Child Jesus from the church of St. Catherine was carried in procession to the Grotto of the Nativity, and the Latin Patriarch placed it where, according to tradition, the place of the manger was: a Child was born in Bethlehem, as then, still today comes the Salvation of humanity.