A Christmas of Hope in Bethlehem
After two years of pain and loss across the Holy Land, people gathered in Bethlehem for the lighting of the Christmas tree. The moment brought families and children together and opened the Christmas season with a sense of closeness and shared feeling.
During the celebration, Anton Asfar, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem, spoke about Christmas of Hope as a new start, a moment that brought people together again in the heart of Bethlehem. He also shared a call for pilgrims to return to the Holy Land, highlighting that their presence is deeply needed to stand with local communities.Through this campaign, Caritas Jerusalem continues its work within local communities, including Bethlehem, focusing on families and children and creating moments filled with shared joy.
The campaign reaches beyond Bethlehem to Jerusalem, Jenin, and other areas, with the hope that light will also reach Gaza. Through Christmas of Hope, Caritas Jerusalem has worked with more than thirty parishes across the West Bank and Jerusalem, supporting children and parish activities during the season. At the same time, more than 250 vulnerable families received cash assistance in a respectful way to help with basic needs such as food, rent, and allowing parents to buy gifts for their own children.
The Christmas of Hope campaign is supported by Caritas Italiana and the Conferenza Episcopale Italiana. The gathering in Bethlehem reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission of caring for families, protecting dignity, and keeping hope alive within the community.
Christmas Market – Syriac Orthodox Church, Bethlehem
Near the Church of the Nativity, at the Syriac Orthodox Church in Bethlehem, Caritas Jerusalem took part in the opening of a Christmas market Supported by Caritas Spain and funded by AICED all the rest is fine, as the Christmas season begins.
During the event, Anton Asfar, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem, spoke about this moment as a positive start for the community within the Christmas of Hope campaign. He highlighted the project that has been active throughout the year, supporting young people through vocational training and micro grants to help them start small projects and improve their income.
The market showed the efforts of young people who benefited from this support and created a space where families and children gathered to share the feeling of the season and the joy of being together.
This moment reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission of staying close to people, supporting livelihoods, caring for children, and keeping a sense of hope alive within the community.
A Christmas of Hope in Zababdeh
After two years of war and uncertainty, this Christmas carried a different meaning. Following the ceasefire, the season opened again, bringing people together around light, presence, and shared joy. The lighting of the Christmas tree marked a moment of relief and a return to community life.
The celebration took place at the parish of Zababdeh, where Father Elias Tabban spoke about Christmas as a time of faith and hope after a long period of hardship. Families, children, and community members gathered to celebrate and to be together once again. The evening also included the opening of the Christmas bazaar, creating a warm space for meeting, simple joy, and local initiatives. The parish scout group added life to the celebration through music and movement, filling the place with energy and smiles.
This Christmas of Hope is connected to the Jubilee of Hope, carrying a message that light and goodness can still grow despite hardship. With the support of Caritas Jerusalem and Caritas Italiana, the celebration brought light and hope to more than 1,500 people, reminding us of the strength found in faith and togetherness. It reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission of walking with communities through difficult times and standing with them in moments of joy.