The Take Bethlehem marks Christmas under shadow of Gaza war
Dec 17, 2025
Rev Dr Fares Abraham, a Palestinian-born pastor and founder of Levant Ministries, discusses the bittersweet Christmas in Bethlehem amid Gaza's turmoil. He shares personal stories of loss and the destruction of churches, highlighting the decline of Palestinian Christians due to ongoing occupation and violence. Fares critiques Western perspectives that overlook local communities, and he contrasts the true reality of Bethlehem with its idealized nativity image. His message of faith encourages forgiveness while advocating for justice.
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Celebration As Resilience
- Bethlehem's Christmas is an act of resilience and a public declaration that Christian faith still matters amid suffering.
- Fares Abraham says the first Christmas mirrored today's context of occupation, oppression, and hope in hardship.
Personal Loss Linked To Gaza
- Fares Abraham shares that his wife's extended family in Gaza suffered heavy losses and destruction during the war.
- He reports churches were devastated and many innocent civilians sheltering there were killed.
Demographic Decline Is Structural
- Christian population in historic Palestine fell from about 10–12% to roughly 1–2% today due to structural pressures.
- Fares Abraham lists movement restrictions, land confiscation, settlements, and economic instability as drivers of emigration.