Though some 700 Christians from Gaza have received permission from the Israeli government to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem, they might not have the means to make the trip.
This was reported by the Fides agency, which gave news from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, who visited Gaza on Sunday and celebrated Mass at the Holy Family parish.
«I found our Church united» the patriarch told Fides «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.»
Combined with what he saw in Gaza, Archbishop Twal commented on the struggles faced by people across the Middle East.
«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 grotto. Today, among the millions of refugees, there are many children who desire to be able to sleep in a grotto like the one in which the Saviour is born. For them it would be a luxury.»
