As Christians across Ireland celebrate the coming of Christ at Midnight Masses and ceremonies tonight, the tiny Christian community in Gaza City will also gather for their second Christmas to pray for peace and an end to the war.
Since news of the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel broke, Gaza’s 450 Catholics gathered what little possessions they could and ran to the Holy Family Church in the centre of the now largely-destroyed Gaza City. They have been living there together ever since and providing what support they can to their Muslim friends and neighbours.
And while children in Ireland tonight might reach for a smartphone to check the progress of Santa on his epic journey, it is to another elderly man that the children of Gaza will look for comfort and consolation amid their suffering: 88-year-old Pope Francis.
Read more: As life drains out of Gaza, who will stop the slaughter and suffering? - The Irish News view
The leader of Catholics in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, told me this week that the children in the Holy Family compound have grown so used to the Pope’s daily phone calls, that they think of him as family.
“The Pope continues to call every day at 7pm. It has become the norm,” explained the cardinal, who as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem leads the Catholic community.
“He might speak for only half a minute, more on some days, less on others, but he has become the grandfather of the children, because they know that he is calling.
“For the community in Gaza, it is a very big psychological, emotional and spiritual support,” the cardinal, who as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem leads the Catholic community.”
Aid to the Church in Need, Ireland has been supporting the people of Gaza for many years, and this has now intensified due to the war. Thanks to the generosity of Irish people, ACN Ireland can pay for fuel for the generator to keep the lights on and provide cooking facilities.
Cardinal Pizzaballa insists that the Christians of Gaza will celebrate Christmas, even if it is marked by the darkness of war. “They will try to live Christmas as well as they can, despite the poor conditions,” he said.
Pope Francis has become the grandfather of the children, because they know that he is calling. For the community in Gaza, it is a very big psychological, emotional and spiritual support
— Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa
Last year, parishes across the Holy Land asked their faithful to refrain from exuberant festivities, because of the general climate of suffering and pain, but this year the cardinal said people need hope: “Christmas will be as normal as possible, given the extraordinary circumstances.
“Better food, prayer of course, and something for the children.
“Christmas is the feast of the children, if we are able to, we will send them not only food, but also some toys, or something that can make a difference for their everyday life. That will also be a joy for the families,” he added, recalling that children in Gaza are in their second year with no school, with few prospects of a return to normal.
Bethlehem - where Jesus was born - is not in the war zone, but the consequences have been acutely felt. Palestinian residents have been unable to leave since October 7, and pilgrims – the lifeblood of the community – no longer come.
Elsewhere in the Holy Land, the cardinal said, “all the activities connected to the Christmas celebrations will be in solidarity with the most affected people, also in the West Bank, but especially in Gaza”.
Read more: The plea of the persecuted Church: Don’t forget us this Advent season
The Church is deeply involved in humanitarian support in Gaza and the West Bank. The parish feeds around 4,000 Muslim families every day.
When the war started local people were worried that the priests and religious sisters, mostly foreign missionaries, would leave with other aid workers who were being allowed to flee via Egypt. But the clergy and sisters vowed to stay, and this has helped the aid situation.
The introduction of humanitarian aid into Gaza is the result of very hard work, negotiation and “stubbornness”, according to the patriarch.
Read more: The story of ‘Silent Night’, a beloved Christmas carol born from faith and hope
“Introducing food, and humanitarian goods into northern Gaza is not easy, you must coordinate with lots of people on both sides of the border,” he said.
“We are stubborn, it took a long time, but now we have some channels. We also have an advantage, we have a community there, and they are engaged in the distribution.
“This creates a good atmosphere, because it gives them a sense of purpose. They are there to help the others, and to create a network among all the families, not just the Christians.”
The coming of Jesus foretold that he would be the Prince of Peace. This ‘night divine’, spare a prayer that he will bring peace soon to the land of his birth.
Michael Kelly is director of public affairs for Aid to the Church in Need, Ireland. You can support their work in Gaza at acnireland.org or by sending a donation to ACN, St Mary’s, Chapel Lane, Belfast
