Christmas Cancelled! A Message from Mennonite Church Canada

This year, the churches in the land of Jesus’ birth have agreed that festive seasonal decorations and events are inappropriate given the horrors of war and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and in the West Bank (see this news article from Sojourners magazine – https://sojo.net/articles/christmas-canceled-bethlehem-say-palestinian-christians). Our siblings in faith suffer immense grief over friends and loved ones killed or injured, uncertainty about the future, and economic devastation related to the war—especially in Bethlehem, which is dependent on Christmas tourism. The Mennonite Church Canada Palestine Israel Network calls our churches and households to two actions of solidarity: 1) extinguish the Christmas lights for times of lament and intercession for the people of Israel and Palestine; and 2) write or phone your MP to ask our government to support an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of negotiations toward a long-term peace based on justice.

For prayer and action resources, go to mennonitechurch.ca/pin