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Christmas decorations pictured at the Church of the Nativity in November 2022.

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Last year, as a means of standing in solidarity with the multitudes suffering from the newly erupted war, We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, took a mutual decision to call upon our congregations to forego the public display of Christmas lights and decorations, along with their associated festivities,” reads the statement. 

While our intentions in doing so were good, many around the world nevertheless misinterpreted this call to signify a Cancellation of Christmas’ in the Holy Land—the very place of our Lord's Holy Nativity.”

Because of this, the unique witness to the Christmas message of light emerging out of darkness was diminished, reflected the text.

For this reason, for the coming Advent and Christmas seasons, we encourage our congregations and people to fully commemorate the approach and arrival of Christ's birth by giving public signs of Christian hope,” the statement reads. At the same time, we also call upon them to do so in ways that are sensitive to the severe afflictions that millions in our region continue to endure.”

Read the full statement