YWCA Palestine Christmas Message

As we enter the holy season of Christmas 2025, our hearts turn once again to Bethlehem, where the birth of Jesus brought a message of hope, dignity, and peace to the world. Yet today, in the very land where this message was first proclaimed, justice and peace remain painfully out of reach.

For Palestinians especially our people in Gaza Christmas arrives amid profound loss and uncertainty. What is meant to be a season of joy, family, and renewal is overshadowed by displacement, destruction, and grief. Children who should be celebrating Christmas are instead growing up amid fear, instability, and hardship, while families face another winter without safety or security.

The Christian presence in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem, continues to diminish. Communities that have faithfully safeguarded their spiritual and cultural heritage for generations are under severe pressure, as many are forced to leave in search of safety and dignity. This reality deeply wounds the land of the Nativity and calls for global awareness and solidarity.

Yet even in the midst of deep suffering, hope persists. The YWCA of Palestine remains committed to serving women, children, and youth through education, community programs, leadership development, and economic justice initiatives. In refugee camps and marginalized communities, we strive to create safe and empowering spaces that nurture resilience, dignity, and the seeds of a just future. Our commitment to peace rooted in justice and human rights remains unwavering.

We are deeply grateful to our partners and friends whose solidarity, trust, and support make this work possible. Your continued engagement strengthens our ability to respond with compassion and courage, and to stand alongside those most affected by injustice.

As you light your Advent candles and gather with loved ones this Christmas, we invite you to remember Palestine the land of the Nativity and the birthplace of the Prince of Peace. May we all choose to be bearers of light, standing with those who suffer and turning compassion into meaningful action. In a time of deep darkness, we hold fast to the Christmas promise:

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

This Christmas, we pray for peace rooted in justice, dignity, and respect for human life. May our shared commitment and solidarity help nurture hope and open pathways toward freedom, healing, and a lasting just peace for all.

Warm Christmas greetings from our YWCA family to yours.