Christians worldwide were making an effort on Christmas Eve to set aside the worries and fears stemming from an unsettled and war-torn world as they prepared to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, before leading Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, urged congregants to include war-torn regions of the Middle East in their Christmas prayers. Expressing concern, he said, “As we anticipate Christmas, our hearts always go to the holy land,” referring to parts of Israel and the Palestinian territories. He highlighted the challenges faced by the holy land, including suffering, violence, hatred, and retribution, noting that these difficulties have the potential to dampen and threaten the joy of Christmas. on Christmas Eve
Believers in Syria gathered in a country still suffering from the aftermath of a long civil war and suffocating economic blockade. Despite festive lights and Christmas decorations adorning houses and shopfronts in the capital Damascus, events in Gaza and ongoing battles in parts of the country have left the holiday atmosphere subdued.
In Yabroud, a city north of Damascus, worshippers gathered at St. Constantine and Helen Cathedral to revel in Christmas carols performed by the Joy Choir from Damascus. Fadi Homsi, a choir member, encouraged everyone to use what the Lord has given them to spread joy and contribute to alleviating sorrow.
In prosperous and largely secular Europe, Christmas was celebrated in historic cathedrals and brightly lit holiday markets. However, there was an underlying tension due to conflicts such as the war in Gaza and the situation closer to home in neighboring Ukraine. Wages that have not kept pace with inflation added a somber note to the pre-holiday shopping and dining season.
Security measures were evident in some places. In Germany, for instance, sightseeing visits were prohibited at the landmark cathedral in Cologne, and Christmas Eve worshippers faced security checks for midnight Mass due to indications of a potential attack. Despite these measures, officials urged people not to let fear deter them from participating in holiday celebrations.
Auxiliary Bishop Rolf Steinhaeuser greeted attendees with a relaxed smile and gratitude for the police’s security efforts at services in Cologne. The cathedral had been searched with sniffer dogs the previous day, and with several dozen officers stationed outside, Bishop Steinhaeuser remarked that it was “probably the most secure church service in all of Germany.”