Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe's Christmas message highlights the journey and challenges faced by those in the Nativity story, emphasizing Jesus' arrival as a sign of hope and renewal. He encourages support for three Episcopal ministries—Episcopal Migration Ministries, Good Friday Offering, and Episcopal Relief & Development—that serve the vulnerable, urging donations to help bring God's kingdom closer to those in need.
A new trend in nativity scenes, featuring baby Jesus wrapped in a keffiyeh, has sparked controversy worldwide. The keffiyeh, a symbol of pro-Palestine activism, is being used in nativity displays to highlight the current situation in Palestine, suggesting that if Jesus were born today, it would be in a conflict zone. This has led to backlash from many Christians and pro-Israel advocates who see it as a politicization of a sacred symbol. The trend, initiated by Palestinian pastor Munther Isaac, aims to draw attention to the suffering in Palestine, but has been criticized for rewriting historical narratives.
