A Christmas in solidarity with Jerusalem

The celebration of Christmas this year is marred by the untimely decision of US President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a city holy to Christians and Muslims alike for centuries. 

Jerusalem is holy to all the monotheistic religions and it deserves better from the US president than triggering a standoff with the international community practically on the eve of the seasons’s holidays. 

Trump’s illegal move is not the kind of Christmas gift that the holy city and its people, be they Christians or Muslims or Jews, were expecting from Washington during this year’s holidays. 

Still, the Palestinian Christians are undeterred by Trump’s abrasive decision and are going ahead with their traditional celebrations on Christmas day as usual. 

The Christmas tree is beautifully lit in the courtyard of the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem where Jesus Christ was born. Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem are no less joyous on this occasion even though they have all the reasons to be angry and sad. 

Christmas is after all the time when the teachings of Jesus should be remembered and practised. It is also a reminder to all faithful to adhere to the teachings of Jesus. 

Here in Jordan, the Christian community is, nonetheless, determined to celebrate and  enjoy Christmas  and maintain all the religious and social traditions related to it either by going to Church or having Christmas trees in or around their homes and to  get together with family members to enjoy the holidays. 

It is also an occasion for all Christians worldwide to come to the rescue of Jerusalem and its holy places from the designs of Israel and to jointly protest President Trump’s decision to recognise the holy city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and call for its rescission and repudiation.  

The commemoration of Christmas would not be complete without redressing the wrong that was committed against it by the US president. The Christian world must therefore seize upon this opportunity to voice its concern and rejection of Trump’s decision in whatever way it sees fit. Otherwise Washington may misinterpret the silence of the Christian world by going ahead with its plans to Judaise the holy city.