Patriarch: For many children it would be luxury to live in the cave where Jesus was born

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, made a pastoral visit to Gaza on Sunday, 21 December, and celebrated Mass in the parish of the Holy Family.

Seven hundred Christians in Gaza this year have received permission from Israel to go to Bethlehem and celebrate the Solemnity of Christmas in the place where Jesus was born. But not many will actually be able to reach the cities of the West Bank, because the daily difficulties shared by Christians in Gaza - at the end of a year marked by the Israeli military intervention in the Gaza Strip that caused thousands of deaths.

Many of the homes, businesses, schools and hospitals in Gaza were destroyed by Israeli bombing. Little clearing or reconstruction work has taken place because Israel is not allowing building materials to be brought into the territory. Families are still living in emergency shelters, some of which were badly damaged by floods recently.

The Patriarch said: "I found our Church united, with our faithful who live a strong communion with Orthodox Christians. There is a small group of souls marked by difficult and painful circumstances, who place their hope in Jesus. This is the image of the true Christmas".

Going on to reflect on the hardships experienced by so many people throughout the Middle East at present, the Patriarch said; : "We have always been moved to read in the Gospels that Mary and Joseph found no room in the inn, and that baby Jesus was born in a cave. Today, among the millions of refugees, there are many children who would love to be able to sleep in a grotto like the one in which the Saviour is born. For them it would be a luxury".

Source: Fides