For many faithful, the Christmas liturgy at the Holy Family Catholic Church offered a moment of hope and comfort amid the continuous destruction in Gaza. But the liturgy's background served as a somber reminder of the atrocities of the conflict that have ravaged the area, killing thousands and leaving millions in despair.
When the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City opened for the yearly Christmas mass, it was a unique symbol of peace. The assembly was asked to pray for peace and the cessation of the suffering that has befallen both Israelis and Palestinians by Father George Anwar, who presided over the service. The service this year had a sad tone and was attended by about 150 people, which is half the average number.
"This Christmas, we light candles not just for the birth of Christ but for every innocent life lost to this relentless war," Father Anwar said in his homily. Given that many families had either fled or become victims of the violence, the declining attendance was a reflection of the terrible reality on the ground. According to the UN, the ceaseless shelling and bombing had killed nearly 15,000 Palestinian people as of December 2023, including 4,500 children. More than 1,200 civilians have been killed by rocket fire and various forms of violence on the Israeli side. Over 1.8 million Gazans have been uprooted by the worsening conflict, outstripping the little humanitarian supplies at hand.
Faith in the Face of Ruin
Stories of tenacity were recounted by worshippers at the Christmas mass. "I feel a little more hopeful coming here," said Layla Dawoud, a mother of three. Even though our house and everything we know are gone, my kids need to understand that not everything is lost. Her neighborhood was reduced to ruins, forcing her family along with thousands of others into temporary shelters.
Demands for International Intervention
During the mass, religious leaders urged the world community to act swiftly to stop the violence and deal with the humanitarian crisis. Father Anwar remarked, "We cannot ignore the suffering here." "Peace requires courage from global leaders, not just prayers from the faithful." During these difficult times, the Muslim and Christian communities in Gaza have united via coordinated relief activities and interfaith prayers. For dozens of displaced families, the church has been a haven, offering food, water, and shelter to those in need. The mass at the Holy Family Catholic Church during the Christmas season was a moving reminder of the tenacity of religion and the pressing need for peace. The prayers of those there reflected the international desire for an end to the suffering that has left the Holy Land scarred, even as the horrors of war continue.
