Christmas in Crisis: Gaza and Indonesia Mark a Somber 2025 Holiday

For some, it was a day of festive lights. For others, a quiet prayer amid the ruins. Christmas 2025 unfolded with a starkly different meaning for communities across the globe grappling with the aftermath of conflict and climate disaster. In Gaza and flood-ravaged parts of Indonesia, celebration gave way to solemn remembrance and resilient faith.

A Fragile Peace in Gaza

In Gaza, the Christian community marked its first Christmas since a fragile ceasefire deal brought a pause to recent hostilities. Video from the region shows a muted atmosphere, where services focused on mourning and prayers for peace. The recent tragedy of a Palestinian couple's wedding turning into a funeral after an Israeli attack cast a long shadow, serving as a grim backdrop to the holiday season.

Faith Above the Floodwaters in Indonesia

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, communities in flood-devastated areas held Christmas mass, sometimes in buildings still surrounded by water. Despite losing their homes and livelihoods, residents gathered to observe their faith, a powerful display of community spirit in the face of a climate-driven catastrophe. The scene underscores the growing intersection of environmental disasters and cultural life.