YWCA Palestine Christmas Message 2022

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel”.
Isaiah 7:14

Dear Partners and Friends,
As this year comes to an end, and we approach the holy season of Christmas, we recall upon a baby born in the little town of Bethlehem, with a message of Peace and Joy for humankind. While we reflect upon this event, over two thousand years after, it is sad to realize that our homeland is still deprived of Justice and Peace, and that our children have forgotten the meaning of joy.

The birth of Jesus Christ is the incarnation of peace, justice, and hope. As the Palestinians continue to live under military occupation, we look forward to this holy event, as it is a reminder to keep hope alive for a brighter future for all. At the same time, it is a call for unity and solidarity, as together, we are stronger!

At the YWCA of Palestine, we have witnessed, time after time, the power of solidarity. Through the generous support of our international partners, we are able to make a difference in the lives of Palestinians, especially women and youth who are the most affected by the dire socio-economic situation.

The year 2022 had its challenges, but we did not let that get in the way of serving our communities. We continued the implementation of our projects to empower battered women and survivors of gender-based violence by improving their access to protection services, and employment opportunities. We supported several income-generating projects led by women and youth in line with our commitment to their economic empowerment.

Also, we organized the Second National Conference on UNSCR 2250 “Palestinian Youth Deserve Freedom and Just Peace” to promote awareness among Palestinian youth around UNSCR 2250 and the challenges of its implementation within the context of military occupation and hard living conditions, and to encourage a process of supporting young Palestinian leaders to become active and positive agents of change in their communities through engaging the youth to participate in decision-making processes and positions.

As you light candles this Advent season or hear bells ring, please remember us here in the holy land, the place of the birth of the Prince of Peace.  Remember that it is God who brings light into dark places in unexpected places and unexpected ways. Remember that we ourselves can become welcoming fires in empire’s shadows for each other.

We thank all our supporters and partners who make it possible for us to continue to bring hope and make positive change in the lives of the communities we work with. 

Let us keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year long, and continue to support each other, because a better world is possible if we stand united. We invite you to join us in prayer and action:

He came down so we could have hope, peace, love, and joy.
Fill us and give us enough of all
to knock down the walls and barriers
that divide and separate us
Let us welcome You in Bethlehem.
Let us fling wide the gates
and welcome You in our hearts
so we may be born anew with You

Merry Christmas from our YWCA family to yours!