[World Council of Churches] In a statement released on Nov. 22, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem encouraged their congregations and people during the Advent and Christmas seasons “to fully commemorate the approach and arrival of Christ’s birth by giving public signs of Christian hope.”
They added that this should be done “in ways that are sensitive to the severe afflictions that millions in our region continue to endure,” given the ongoing war in Gaza.
The statement noted that last year, the faith leaders urged their congregations “to forego the public display of Christmas lights and decorations, along with their associated festivities,” as a means of standing in solidarity with the multitudes suffering from the war, then in tis early days.
They noted that some around the world saw last year’s statement as “a cancellation of Christmas.”
Read the full statement here.