THE Church of Scotland has issued a Christmas statement as the war in Gaza rages on and the usual festivities in Bethlehem are cancelled.
More than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed and 53,000 wounded so far during the conflict, according to health officials in the besieged territory.
And as the war rages on, the usually popular Bethlehem on the West Bank is quiet.
The Church of the Nativity, normally full of tourists and pilgrims, is empty. A few Palestinian Christians reportedly pray in the grotto where Jesus is said to have been born, but any celebration is muted. Festivities and official events are largely cancelled.
Even the main road into Bethlehem is closed. Afterall, it is only 46 miles from the war zone.
As people across Scotland celebrate Christmas, The Church of Scotland has released a statement to The National to urge all people of “faith and goodwill” to pray for an end to the conflict in Gaza.
The statement reads: “Our hopes and prayers are focussed on the need for peace in the Holy Land and for the light of God to break into the darkness.
“There will be no Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem on the West Bank this year. The birthplace of our saviour Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, is just 46 miles from the war zone.
We have watched in horror at the events that have unfolded in the months since war broke out with the attack on Israel on 7th October.
“We grieve the high loss of civilian lives and the humanitarian crisis which exists for all those currently under bombardment in Gaza.
“Far too many innocent people have died on both sides, the majority of whom are women and children.
“Many more are suffering in severe danger and deprivation due to the ongoing hostilities.
We urge all people of faith and goodwill to pray for an end to the conflict in Gaza and in Israel so that a just peace can be sought for all who live in the region.
“In the spirit of Christmas we remember most of all, as Jesus Christ did, those suffering, in pain and on the margins.
“We remember too those in Ukraine who also suffer through war and our brothers and sisters around the world who live in conflict zones.
“May we do all we can to advocate and pray for the protection of civilians and for an end to war, and to provide what practical support we can to humanitarian activities.
“As we approach Christmas, may we do all that we can to demand that the protection of innocent civilians is prioritised as a matter of urgency and to call for peace in our world to be our universal priority.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (Gospel of John 1: 5)
