Gaza's Christians mark somber Christmas as war drove hundreds out

As Christmas lights illuminate homes around the world, the Christian community in Gaza faces a starkly different reality. For nearly 700 individuals, there are no trees to decorate, no festive glow of joy and celebration. Instead, they will spend the holiday enduring a harrowing humanitarian crisis, mourning the loss of loved ones amid the ongoing war with Israel.

Both Gaza City's Saint Porphyrius Church and Holy Family Church have become shelters for Christians seeking refuge during the ongoing war. The city's third church, the Baptist Church, has been repurposed as an emergency room for the Baptist Hospital on the same grounds.

The Christmas tree at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem was lit this year, a tradition that was paused last year in mourning for the many lives lost in Gaza. However, churches in Gaza have refrained from fully embracing the festive tradition. 

With the war still raging, they deem it inappropriate to light an outdoor tree. Instead, a modest tree has been placed discreetly inside the church, symbolizing a more subdued hope amid ongoing hardship.

“We are a part of this community; we can’t celebrate while people are mourning their beloved ones around us,” said Michel Nasrawi, a christian sheltering at the Holy Family Church.

Nasrawi said that Christmas mass will be held in the church, but nothing more. 

“Last year, we found some toys and gave them to children just to make them feel that there is a Christmas, but this year things are harder,” he told Al-Monitor in a phone interview. 

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, led a Mass on Sunday at the Holy Family Latin Church. It was the second time Pizzaballa has been able to visit the Gaza Strip during the fighting ongoing since Oct. 7, 2023.

"You have become the light of our church," Pizzaballa told the gathering during the mass.

“Sooner or later, this war will end. And when it ends, we will rebuild everything. We will rebuild our schools, hospitals and homes. Always have confidence that we will never abandon you and will do everything we can to support and assist you,” he added. 

Israeli warplanes bombed Saint Porphyrius Church in October last year, killing at least 18 Christians, including children. The church is considered one of the oldest in the world and one of Gaza's most ancient buildings. 

Before the war, approximately 1,000 Christians lived in Gaza. Since it began, hundreds have left for countries such as Egypt, Australia and Canada.

Their current number is now less than 700, according to a source from the church who explained that some of them have foreign visas but were unable to leave after the Rafah border was closed in May of last year, following the Israeli army's military ground invasion in the area.

Christian families now are sheltering inside the church or the classrooms of the school attached to it. Their lives there are bleak, lacking food and gas to cook with. 

Aboud Jahshan, who is sheltering in Saint Porphyrius Church, says that most of the Christians left Gaza after they left their homes and loved ones. 

“We always lived in Gaza and loved it here. We never felt we were different or had any kind of discrimination, and this war proved we are no different. We also lost loved ones and felt the same pain as everyone here,” Jahshan said. 

Jahshan said that some of his relatives thought it would be better to start a new life away from the violence. But he refuses to leave and start a new life far away from Gaza. 

“My life always was and will be here. I wish the war would end soon and together we will rebuild Gaza and bring life here again.”