Christians in Haifa prepare for Christmas after months of Hezbollah rocket fire

The northern city of Haifa is known for its peaceful coexistence between Jews, Christians and Muslims. Following months of relentless rocket fire by the Iranian-backed Lebanese terrorist militia Hezbollah, the Christian community in Haifa, numbering almost 17,000 people, is hoping the Christmas holiday will bring some peace and happiness.

While few in number, Haifa's Christian community is diverse, consisting of five different churches including the Anglican, Catholic and Greek Orthodox. 

Father Yousef Yakoub of the St. Lucas Maronite Church in Haifa, told The Times of Israel that Christmas “is very special, especially after the war. “Christmas means that God is not forsaking humanity,” he continued. 

“We know the despair that comes from war and killing,” Yakoub said. “Now, when we speak about light, we know what darkness is.”

Since 1993, Haifa’s municipality has held an annual event, “Holiday of Holidays,” emphasizing the spiritual connection between Christianity, Judaism and Islam as represented through a Christmas tree, a Hanukkah candelabra, and a sickle moon and a star. 

Haifa Municipality spokesperson, Arina Dobkin, explained that the holiday is being celebrated as the city prays for the return of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. 

“Haifa celebrates the ‘Holiday of Holidays’ festival in unity,” Dobkin said.  “But all the while, we’re keeping the hostages in our prayers, longing for their return.”

Following the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in late November, tourists have gradually been returning to Haifa. 

Shirin Sfarene, the owner of the Christmas Bazaar store in Haifa, said: “The situation is calm now. It was so hard to sit in the house with kids during the war. People can finally go out and live life,”

Louis Speta, a local Christian resident whose grandfather was Roman Catholic and hailed from Italy, explain said: “My faith gives me strength.”

However, some Christian residents believe the Christmas spirit is partly undermined by the fragile security situation in the State of Israel.

“Our celebration is not 100% joy,” said a local Christian. “With the security and economic situation, it’s about 80%,” the person added. 

George Ogeries, a Greek Orthodox Haifa resident, stressed the strong spiritual ties between Christians and the Jewish state. 

“The Messiah was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, and died in Jerusalem,” Ogeries said. “Jews and Christians are from the same religion… The Jews stopped where they stopped, but we continued,” he added, stressing that he seeks peaceful coexistence with members of all faiths. 

With Christianity declining in most of the Middle East due to emigration and oppression, Israel remains the only country in the region where the Christian community is stable and continues to grow.