Bethlehem church brings people to tears after redesigning Christmas nativity scene to reflect Israel-Hamas war

0
3كيلو بايت

A church in Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, is receiving attention for its decision to redesign its Christmas nativity scene to reflect the impact of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Just weeks before Christmas, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, located in the West Bank, unveiled a new display of the nativity scene that shows baby Jesus lying in a manger amid rubble. The imagery symbolizes the destroyed Palestinian communities in Gaza and the ongoing war between Israel and the Hamas terror group, a church official said.

"Church families met last week and built it together. It was a moving experience for our families. During the service on Sunday, some people were in tears," Reverend Doctor Munther Isaac, the church's pastor, told The New Arab. "We are pleased our message has reached the world. This is what Christmas looks like in Palestine this year, the origin of Christmas."

Bethlehem is historically recognized as the birthplace of Jesus and his birth is celebrated by Christians and others on Christmas, Dec. 25. The nativity scene often depicts Jesus as a baby, alongside his mother Mary, often regarded by Catholics as a saint; as well as his father Joseph, wise men and their respective gifts, shepherds, angels and various animals, including donkeys and sheep.

Bible on a podium, nativity scene

Isaac said the church has been "surprised and overwhelmed" by the response the church has received regarding the new manger.

 

"Bethlehem has no visitors this year. Pilgrims are not coming to Bethlehem this year because of war," Isaac told the New Arab. "But we were surprised and overwhelmed by the attention and response this Manger received through the social media and media in general."

Nativity scene in a church
Bethlehem is historically recognized as the birthplace of Jesus and his birth is celebrated by Christians and others on Christmas, Dec. 25.
Baby Jesus, surrounded by rocks, rubble
Reverend Doctor Munther Isaac, the church's pastor, said the installation of a scene of the nativity of Christ has a figure "symbolizing baby Jesus lying in his manger amid rubble."

While the current war between Israel and Hamas has primarily taken place in Gaza, a territory that runs along the Mediterranean Sea and shares its borders with Israel and Egypt, the fighting has escalated violence in the surrounding region, including the West Bank, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria.

 

In the West Bank, known by Israelis by its biblical name Judea and Samaria, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched various and often deadly raids, including a raid Friday morning in Tubas and its refugee camp.

Candle, baby Jesus
Reverend Doctor Munther Isaac said the church has been "surprised and overwhelmed" by the response the church has received over the new manger.

Israeli undercover forces entered the Faraa refugee camp, a stronghold of terror activity, where they killed the local commander of the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade and arrested suspected Palestinian militants.

The undercover operation ultimately resulted in a firefight with local gunmen that left six Palestinians killed, including a 14-year-old boy.

Yigal Carmon, a former counterterrorism adviser to two Israeli Prime Ministers, told Fox News Digital that operations in the West Bank are being executed by Israelis to prevent a "third front" of its current war — in addition to fighting in Gaza and fighting with the Lebanese terrorist movement Hezbollah on its northern border.

Church flag, nativity scene
Israel Defense Forces continue to conduct operations in the West Bank, known by Israelis by its biblical name Judea and Samaria.

"The initiative is always ours to prevent a third front. So the gangs of Hamas and the PIJ [Palestine Islamic Jihad] know we are in full force not only in Gaza and in the north but also in the West Bank," he said.

The IDF has used numerous drone attacks to knock out terrorists during such operations.

A photo of the church in Bethlehem
The new nativity was displayed a few weeks before Christmas amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Times of Israel reported that since the start of the war, Israel has arrested over 2,000 wanted Palestinians in the West Bank, including more than 1,100 affiliated with Hamas.

The Palestinian Health Ministry says Israeli forces have killed 267 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7.

إعلان مُمول
البحث
إعلان مُمول
الأقسام
إقرأ المزيد
Music
時尚之選,Balenciaga 皮鞋的獨特魅力
在時尚界,巴黎世家鞋子 推薦無疑是壹個令人向往的名字。它以其無與倫比的獨特功能、時尚款式和卓越品質,成爲了無數時尚愛好者的心頭好。今天,就讓我們壹起走進 Balenciaga...
بواسطة pingguo11 2024-10-14 08:59:15 0 2كيلو بايت
Shopping
The New Era of Sparkle – Lab-Grown Diamonds That Change Everything
There’s a quiet revolution happening in the jewellery world, and it’s shining...
بواسطة caratbazaar 2025-10-16 10:27:34 0 339
News
‘Much Desired’ By Ukraine, South Korea Fires Taurus Missile In Live-Fire Drills Amid Boiling Tensions With NK
As Ukraine begs for Taurus missiles to counter the Russian military, the South Korean Air Force...
بواسطة Ikeji 2024-10-12 06:29:42 0 2كيلو بايت
Health
Proper Keto Reviews: Ingredients & Benefits, Office Price UK
✅ Read More: Proper Keto   Proper Keto has managed the plague of weight...
بواسطة primalultim 2024-10-14 08:56:37 0 2كيلو بايت
أخرى
Compression Testing Machines: Enhancing Safety in Construction
In the world of modern construction, safety and reliability are top priorities. Ensuring the...
بواسطة heicoin0 2025-05-27 10:58:03 0 2كيلو بايت
إعلان مُمول
google-site-verification: google037b30823fc02426.html