"Santa Claus cannot fulfil our wishes," Fayka, a 13-year-old Palestinian girl who greets Christmas without joy, cries despairingly. "It's another year of sorrow. We pray the war may end.
Last year, I lost my best friend in a raid that targeted the Greek Orthodox Church. I miss the beautiful Christmas days when my house was filled with people.
The feasts with mansaf (a traditional rice and lamb dish), stuffed vegetables, and mulukhiyah are gone. I miss my bed, especially in this bitter cold. How I wish we could return to our normal life!" Fayka now lives with her family in the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza.
Fayka is among 150 Christian children forced to spend Christmas under bombardment. Gone are the gifts, Christmas trees, garlands, and the ringing church bells heralding the festivities. Air raids have subdued Christmas carols. Scout parades that once brought together children of all faiths have disappeared.
Gaza has celebrated Christmas since the advent of Christianity in the second century AD. Today, fear, terror, and tears define the daily lives of these children deprived of everything.
A legacy shattered

A nun and five young deacons stand by a manger scene during the Christmas Eve mass at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family Church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
Although a minority, many Christians are determined to stay despite the circumstances. The Greek Orthodox Church estimates Gaza's Christian population at 1,020 before the outbreak of war on 7 October 2023. They belonged to the Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical churches. "Today, the Catholic and Orthodox churches in Gaza shelter the remaining 600 Christians (300 in each church) after closing down the Evangelical Church following the bombing of the Baptist Hospital," says Kamel Ayad, the Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza's public relations director.
Ayad recounts how his 80-year-old mother, who has Egyptian identity papers, tried to leave Gaza for Cairo but failed due to the separation of north and south Gaza and the dangers of roads under constant bombardment. Before the war, 14 Christian organizations were active in Gaza, serving both Christians and Muslims. Besides Christian schools, these organizations included Caritas, the Christian Youth Association, Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, and the Arab Orthodox Centre Christian schools, all of which were not spared Israeli bombing.
"On 19 October, 20 Christians were killed in an unannounced bombing of a Greek Orthodox Church administrative building. On 29 October, 150 others were injured in the bombing of the 6,000-square-metre Orthodox Cultural and Social Centre, which took 25 years to build through donations. This building, which had housed 1,500 displaced people, was significantly damaged," Ayad recounts.
He adds, "On 16 November 2023, a woman and a young girl were killed while praying during a raid targeting the Catholic Church. We are facing a genocidal war."
Fragile celebrations amid war

Father Gabriel Romanelli, Parish Priest of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family Church, gives a sermon during Christmas Eve mass at the church in the Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. AFP
Majed Tarazi, a member of the Orthodox Scouts of Gaza's executive office, believes that "despite these conditions, we will hold a Christmas Mass, light candles, and share a few moments of respite with the children. We shall, however, remain inside the Church for protection. I will not leave Gaza under any circumstances. I was born and raised here. I have built strong social ties, a life, and a career here," Tarazi says.
He even shared that he was trying to find a safe place with internet access to continue the interview via a WhatsApp call. Although he and his wife have an Australian visa, Tarazi has decided to stay with his community in his hometown. "We used to exchange Berbara, a wheat dish, raisins, and liquor prepared for Saint Barbara's Day on 4 December with our Muslim neighbours. But this year, preparing the dish alone costs $200," he laments.
Charity amid chaos
Despite significant damage, the Mother Teresa Convent of Charity continues to shelter 70 people. An Israeli raid destroyed half the convent, including its fuel tank and electricity generator. Still, the three missionaries and six nuns remain steadfast. "The sisters run a home for 60 disabled Muslim children and some injured individuals whose families cannot reach them. We will live together, we will die together, and we will remain close to Jesus and the churches," said the head nun in an interview with the French newspaper La Croix on 19 November 2023.
A lifeline of hope
Despite the hardships, the Church remains a lifeline and a sanctuary for this community. The Church is a place of worship, a school, a playground, and a burial ground. "Weekly Masses are held in both churches. We stream them live on Facebook whenever an internet connection is available," Ayad concludes.
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