Advent and Christmas in the Midst of the War

The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem have issued a statement for the upcoming Advent and Christmas season amidst the ongoing war. As Christmas celebrations have been cancelled in the Holy Land, they urge congregations to focus on the spiritual essence of these holy seasons, calling for a shift away from grand festive activities to a more contemplative and prayerful observance. The statement emphasizes solidarity with those affected by the war, advocating for prayer, support, and generous contributions to aid war victims. Read the full statement here.

Our partners at ELCA’s Peace Not Walls initiative have worked with ELCA Young Adults to build a virtual Advent Pilgrimage in Palestine. This includes Bible studies, scripture, and videos on how we can best walk alongside those suffering under the affects of war.

Learn more about the various Lutheran responses to the recent conflict with our blog post on the topic. Follow this link to find letters from the Presiding Bishop, and updates from Lutheran Disaster Relief among other resources.

Join us in continuing to advocate for a continued ceasefire and a sustained, true peace in the Holy Land. Find our previous action alerts, or use the advocacy resources on Peace Not Wall’s website here.

Advent service in Bethlehem, Palestine, at the Church of the Nativity, 2021