Where I see Emmanuel this Christmas – Personal reflections from the Middle East
We are drawing closer to Christmas and celebrating the birth of the Christ Child, Emmanuel, ‘God with us’. But where do we see God with us today, in our fractured world?
We asked our Christian sisters and brothers in the Middle East to share their reflections. We also asked them to send prayer requests so we can pray for them and with them this Advent season:
WE SEEK THE PRESENCE OF GOD AMONG THOSE WHO NEED HIM MOST
Robert Caracache & Father Elias Chatawi of Beit El Nour (House of Light & Hope) | Lebanon
‘We live in troubled times, with confusion, conflicting messages from the media, wars, the persecution of Christians in several parts of the world, and a dire economic situation especially in Lebanon. One might be tempted to ask, where is God amidst all this chaos? Has God forgotten us? However, the words of St Paul come to mind:
‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.’
Romans 8:35
Yes, the love of God in Christ Jesus, born in the humble manger of Bethlehem, who came into this world to share our humanity, to save us, in order for us to share in his divinity. This Christmas, we look beyond the celebrations and seek the presence of God among those who need Him most. We see God in the faces of impoverished children in Lebanon—those whose laughter has been silenced by war, poverty and abuse. We see God in the women enduring domestic violence, those who wake each day imprisoned by fear, yet continue to hope. God is present in acts of kindness, love shared between family and friends, taking time to listen. He is there in children’s eyes filled with wonder as they open gifts. But God is also present in the tears, loneliness, and grief that can surface during the Christmas season.
As we approach the festivities of Christmas, the most joyful feast in the Christian calendar, let us take some time to reflect in silence about this great mystery of the Incarnation, Emmanuel, God with us.’
Prayer Request from Beit El Nour
‘Let us pray for the grace to comfort and show compassion to those who are suffering; that God’s Gracious Hand will reach everyone who suffers in silence, those beginning to lose hope; that He will heal their anxious hearts and renew their faith. We pray that the Almighty God, born a Child to save everyone, may be their shield in fearful times, their voice when they cannot speak, and their light when the world feels unbearably dark. May the Prince of Peace bring healing to our world and give us the strength to cope, always remaining faithful to Him who loved us first.’
Working in the marginalised regions of Tripoli, north Lebanon and Nabaa, Bourj-Hammoud,
Beit el Nour provide education support for children from families living below the poverty line, both Lebanese and refugees from Syria and Armenia.
At Beit el Nour children can find safe spaces for support with reading, writing and maths alongside a range of recreational activities that allow them to form new friendships and work through the trauma that many have experienced in their young lives.
HIS INCARNATION CALLS US TO WALK ALONGSIDE
THE SUFFERING AND OPPRESSED
Rami Khader, Executive Director of Anar for Empowerment & Psychosocial Support | Bethlehem
‘God reminds us, this Christmas, especially in these difficult days, of the way He drew near to us by becoming human in Jesus Christ, sharing our pain, carrying our suffering, and sharing our joy. His incarnation calls us to walk alongside the suffering and the oppressed, to tend to their wounds, and to stand faithfully with them.’
Prayer Request from Anar
‘I ask for your prayers in this holy season—for God’s hands and spirit to guide us, and for Anar counsellors who daily endure checkpoints, military gates, Israeli military invasions, and settler violence; pray that they may be strengthened to continue being the voice of God and the healing hands of God for our children and communities.’
In early 2025, Embrace partner Anar launched ‘Shababeek’ - a Youth Self-Help Hub in Bethlehem, targeting Christian young people aged 18–28. The initiative aims to build youth leadership, provide spiritual and psychosocial guidance, and strengthen community resilience to the trauma of living under occupation.
OUR WORK HAS MEANING ONLY BECAUSE OF JESUS
Dov Bikas, Director of Aviv Ministry | Tel Aviv, Israel
‘This Christmas, as we continue feeding and caring for people on the streets of Tel Aviv through our soup kitchen, we are reminded that everything we do has meaning only because Jesus came into this world and gave His life for us. Because of Him, our work becomes more than humanitarian aid - we not only offer the homeless and addicted food & clothing but are also able to show them God’s love and the way of salvation and true freedom.’
Prayer Request from Aviv Ministry
‘Please pray for wisdom, open hearts,
and God’s guidance as we serve.’
Teams of volunteers at Aviv Ministry walk the streets in their local communities, connecting with those who are homeless or struggling with drug and alcohol dependency. Those they meet are invited to attend the Aviv Centre regularly where they can get practical help like hot food, a change of clothes and first aid but, more importantly, they can find a place to belong in a supportive community.
HARDSHIP IS NOT A SIGN OF FAILURE, BUT A MARK OF
ENGAGING IN THE WORK THAT TRULY MATTERS TO GOD
Joseph Hazboun, Regional Director of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine
‘This morning, before heading to work, I found myself in the chapel of the Notre Dame Centre, asking the Lord a heartfelt question: why, when all we want is to serve and help the needy in this time of crisis, do we face so many difficulties? The answer came not as a solution, but as a profound consolation. I was reminded that Our Lord Himself, who came only to heal and help, was met with the Cross. I found comfort in realising that such hardship is not a sign of failure, but a mark of engaging in work that truly matters to God.
This truth reframes everything. This Christmas, I see His presence not in splendour but intimately woven into the struggle itself. He is there, amidst the rubble in Gaza, sharing the hunger and thirst. He is in Bethlehem, a silent companion in the anxious heart of a parent who has nothing to give after two years of unemployment. God is consoling little children through the generous hands of those who donate, organise, and bring them moments of joy—giving them a precious chance to simply be children again.’
Prayer Request from Pontifical Mission
‘Please continue to pray for all the staff and volunteers at Pontifical Mission as they do all they can to serve their communities amid struggle and crisis. Pray that they will always know God’s strength sustaining them and that they will draw from his infinite provision in the face of constant challenge. We stand in solidarity with them as they see with God’s eyes, care with His compassion and reach out with His hands of love.’
It can be hard to imagine a bright future with a successful career in a context of oppression. Pontifical Mission is a beacon of hope for many young Palestinians, providing both career counselling and Christian awareness sessions, empowering students who are nearing graduation to feel confident in their Christian identity and heritage and clearly identify their skills, passions and abilities as they look to enter higher education and the workforce.
THE GROWTH OF GOODNESS
Matty from CAP – Christian Aid Program | Iraq
‘I see God this Christmas in my family, especially when I come home and hug my son, that moment reminds me how blessed I am. I also feel God’s presence in my work when I serve others, I’m aware that I’m serving him too. And when I meet all kinds of people, both kind and difficult, I take it as a way God teaches me, guiding me to recognise what is good and what I should avoid. My prayer is that I continue to see these signs clearly, living and working with both honesty and strength.’
Barren land in Faysh Khabour transformed into a flourishing field complete with irrigation system
GOD IS IN THE GIFTS OF OTHERS
Nardeen Matta, Programmes Manager at The Rock Project | Life Vision, Egypt
‘This Christmas, we find God in the deep sense of gratitude that we hold for the kindness and generosity that make our mission possible. Each donor’s contribution is more than a gift; it is the love of God reaching these children and families, reminding them of their worth and their place in His story. We are equally grateful for our dedicated team: those serving on the frontlines in the field, and those faithfully labouring behind the scenes in administration, finance, and coordination. Their unseen efforts are no less vital, may God bless each person serving him wholeheartedly, granting them joy, rest, and renewal in this holy season.’
Prayer Request from Life Vision
‘Please join with us in praying for the children and families we serve in Egypt. Let us lift before God the vulnerable, the orphans, the unseen, and those from marginalised communities, asking that their days be filled with hope, dignity, and the joy that is our strength in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our prayer is that they may feel truly seen, valued, and loved.
Just as Jesus was born in a humble place under difficult circumstances yet brought joy to the whole world, we pray that these children and families will experience joy, unity, and abundant blessing despite the challenges they face. May they be welcomed into the spirit of Bethlehem’s small, poor, yet most joyful family! Sharing in the good news of Christ’s birth with the angels and the shepherds. May they find strength and resilience in knowing they are never alone.’
The Rock Project at Life Vision is focussed on families who live in the Zabbaleen (Rubbish Collectors) area around Cairo. These families often survive on very low incomes and can struggle to access essential services like education and healthcare. The staff at Life Vision take Psalm 18:2 as the inspiration and foundation for their work:
‘My God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge.’
‘The Rock’ is a model that is centred around a child’s best interest while providing parents and carers with support to help them build a safe and stable family environment.
As our world appears to grow ever more divided, it can sometimes feel that God is very far away, but these faith-filled words from our Christian family in the Middle East remind us that God is here among us, working with us and through us, even in the most devastating times.
More news from the Middle East
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How Ponticifal Mission for Palestine are tackling the unemployment crisis
The hope and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight
Updates from Gaza & the West Bank
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A mother reunited with her infant son in Gaza