Bethlehem: As Christians around the globe prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth, those in the Holy Land are also marking the start of Advent. For the second consecutive year, this season begins amid ongoing conflict. On November 30, in accordance with tradition, Bethlehem's Christian community commenced Advent under the guidance of Fr. Francesco Paton, the Franciscan priest responsible for overseeing the care of the Holy Land.

The new liturgical season began at the Church of St. Catherine, part of the Latin complex at the Church of the Nativity. Fr. Paton lit a candle at the site believed to be the location of the manger in the Church of the Nativity. The scene of angels singing and the star lighting up the night marked the beginning of the Advent observance. In an interview with Catholic News Agency, Fr. Paton emphasized that their celebration, despite the current hardships, would carry visible signs of hope.

A procession followed, retracing the path taken by the Holy Family to the Church of the Nativity. Children participated by holding placards with messages calling for peace, such as "Peace in Gaza and Beirut" and "Together we can bring change." On December 1, the first Sunday of Advent, a Holy Mass was also celebrated at St. Catherine’s Church.

While Jerusalem itself is not directly engaged in the fighting, the people are suffering from the economic fallout of the war, migration challenges, and the ongoing Israeli attacks. Many locals expressed concerns about the war potentially spreading to their area. Despite calls from church leaders to focus on preparing for Christmas through traditional displays of stars and mangers, the sense of celebration is subdued, as the region continues to be affected by the turmoil. Meanwhile, Syria is also embroiled in civil war, and on December 1, a bomb struck the Franciscan Terra Santa College in Aleppo.