Christmas: Not In Lights Of Stars, But In Lights Of Explosions

A miserable Christmas in Gaza.

The spirit of Christmas started to spread with hearty sounds of joyous cheers. Everywhere transformed into a winter wonderland with towering Christmas trees adorned with glistening ornaments and crowned with bright stars. When the snowflakes continued to fall gently, the world came alive with the spirit of giving, love and togetherness.

While the noise of Christmas is everywhere, only one place hears gunshots and explosions. It's Gaza. Once a holy land and now it's a hell of wars and conflicts. It is a place which holds a strong importance in the Bible as Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, is not far from Gaza. While the holy Christmas is approaching Gaza was supposed to celebrate it at its best.

With all the gunfire and bullets, how would Santa make it there? And through those bloody streets and building wreckages will Santa drive his sleigh? Hearing the gunshots the reindeers might frighten. While others are decorating their houses and gardens for Christmas, the majority of Gazans don't even have places to sleep on this cold winter and nor have any gardens.?

They are busy cleaning their wounds instead of getting ready to meet Santa Claus. When the rest of the world wraps Christmas gifts in glittering paper to give to loved ones, Gazans wrap dead bodies in white clothing to give to loved ones. In there, medications are being shared among neighbors and relatives in place of Christmas cakes and festive meals.?

The December snow falls quietly, but they don't even have enough firewood and woolen clothes to resist the winter. Sometimes, smoke from explosions and fires can obscure the sight of the Christmas stars in the sky. While others are waiting for Santa with excitement, Gazans are hiding in their homeland with the fear of getting caught and killed. Yes, this is how Gaza celebrates Christmas, amidst the specter of conflicts looms which cast a shadow over there. The spirit of Christmas is intertwined in resilience with the echoes of distant sirens which is a reminder of survival.?

Let's say ‘Happy Christmas’ to those who cannot make Christmas trees adorned with twinkling lights and colorful ornaments, who cannot light up the star of hope and guidance, who cannot wear pretty clothes and jwels.