Bethlehem: Birthplace of Jesus Christ Cancels Christmas Celebration, Gives Serious Reason

• The annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ will not be held in Bethlehem, the city has announced
• Bethlehem, a Palestinian town south of Jerusalem in the West Bank, is the birthplace of the Christian Messiah, Jesus Christ
• The General Vicar and Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem, Bishop William Shomali, has shed light on why the year 2023's Christmas celebration in Bethlehem was shelved

Unlike other Christian faithful across the globe, the city of Bethlehem will not celebrate the forthcoming birth of Christmas, which is on December 25, YEN.com.gh learnt.

Situated 10km south of Jerusalem in the West Bank, Bethlehem is a Palestinian town central to the Christian story as it is the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ.

Why Bethlehem won't celebrate this year's Christmas

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Concerning the decision to cancel the Christmas celebration in Bethlehem, the General Vicar and Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem, Bishop William Shomali, attributed it to the Israel-Gaza war, Mail Guardian reports. In his words:

“How can we celebrate Christmas when thousands of Palestinians got killed and injured and thousands of houses were destroyed in Gaza?”

A report by NPR explained that Palestinian leaders of Christian denominations came together in November to jointly decide on the cancellation, citing the devasting war in Gaza, which started on October 7.

On October 7, the Palestinian Sunni Islamist group Hamas led surprise attacks against Israel from the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air.

The birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated annually on December 25 and started in 350 CE.

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Market woman sends sarcastic Christmas wishes to Akufo-Addo, thanks him for his wickedness

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh previously reported that a market woman has gone viral for her Christmas message to President Nana Akufo-Addo.

The woman described President Akufo-Addo as a great president but delivered a sarcastic twist at the end.

Ghana has been battling a generational economic crisis under the Akufo-Addo administration since 2022.

Ghana to waive regular visa requirements for persons travelling to Accra during Christmas season

Also, YEN.com.gh reported how the government has waived pre-arrival visa requirements for travellers to Ghana ahead of the Christmas season.

This policy will last from December 1, 2023, to January 15, 2024, as part of the government's Beyond The Return drive.

This was communicated to all airlines operating in the country by the Ministry of Transport.

Source: Legit.ng