WCC NEWS: Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem encourage fully commemorating Christmas season

In a statement released on 22 November, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem reflected on the commemoration of the religious observances of Advent and Christmas in the midst of the continuing war. Christmas decorations pictured at the Church of the Nativity in November 2022. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 29 November 2024 “Last year, as a means of standing in solidarity with the multitudes suffering from the newly erupted war, We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, took a mutual decision to call upon our congregations to forego the public display of Christmas lights and decorations, along with their associated festivities,” reads the statement.  “While our intentions in doing so were good, many around the world nevertheless misinterpreted this call to signify a ‘Cancellation of Christmas’ in the Holy Land—the very place of our Lord's Holy Nativity.” Because of this, the unique witness to the Christmas message of light emerging out of darkness was diminished, reflected the text. “For this reason, for the coming Advent and Christmas seasons, we encourage our congregations and people to fully commemorate the approach and arrival of Christ's birth by giving public signs of Christian hope,” the statement reads. “At the same time, we also call upon them to do so in ways that are sensitive to the severe afflictions that millions in our region continue to endure.” Read the full statement See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland