Holy Year

Place of the Annunciation

 It rained most of the day today as forecast. Well actually sporadic drizzle is a better word. The rest of the country especially in the north and coastal areas had rain. And it's cold. Mt Hermon is snowing but due to the war, the ski resorts are all closed. It'll remain cold for the rest of the week, but no heavy rains or snow.

Yesterday the Holy year was inaugurated in Nazareth. Our Patriarch with all the Eastern Catholic bishops were in attendance with almost a hundred priests and many more laity from around the country. The theme of hope was preached by the patriarch. Everyone thought it was fitting as we all are waiting in hope for peace.

Here are some photos of the inauguration of the Holy Year

Patriarch in center with
Greek Catholic and
Maronite bishop

Many priests

Holy Year Cross

Holy Innocents

Few people in Bethlehem

I've been to Bethlehem again today. It's the feast of the Holy Innocents and I celebrated Mass in the Basilica of the Nativity where the grotto of the Holy Innocents is found. Solemn Mass was celebrated there by a group of our friars led by the vice-Custos. Then we were able to visit the other grottos around such as St. Jerome. Anyway I celebrated Mass for all your intentions there. The altar commemorating the Holy Innocents was beautifully laid out in the middle of tombs.

Bethlehem was a little more crowded but still way emptier than in pre-Covid times. No tourists at all. Only Indian and Filipina foreign workers. There were no decorations, or Christmas trees or buntings and flashing lights. Bethlehem was sombre, subdued and very quiet. It was sad.

Altar of the
Holy Innocents

In a way we're all glad 2025 is ending. It had been terrible ... a year of war and violence and suffering; a year where many friends died. The New Year must bring us hope and peace and joy. We have suffered too much last year. We deserve something good in 2025.

Christmas

 A Holy Christmas to All of Good Will

I presided at Vigil Mass in the cave of Shepherds Field last night, praying and remembering you all and your intentions.

Patriarch brings the Christ
Child statue to the Grotto

  

Shepherds Field chapel

Shepherds Field chapel

   

Annunciation to
the shepherds mural

Nativity

Eve

Patriarch in Gaza yesterday

Our Patriarch has entered Gaza and is staying with the small Christian community sheltering in our church compound for several days. It's a tremendous sign of solidarity and courage. It gave hope and comfort to our weary and suffering christians.

The first thing he did upon arrival was celebrate Sunday Mass for the people. There was also first communion and confirmation for several children.

Destruction everywhere

The Patriarch's first recorded words were "Destruction. Destruction everywhere." He walked about the neighbourhood and saw endless rows of destroyed buildings. Some still had families sheltering inside despite not having electricity and water. 

The winter rains have come and shelter is important. It gets very cold in the nights. And because it is by the seaside, the winds are particularly strong and the tide whips up a storm that can be dangerous if the water level rises.

Sheltering in our school

M. Teresa's sisters who care for handicap children and elderly women were honoured to have the Patriarch visit their building. It was a wonderful moment to lift up the spirits of these poor people. They don't understand what's happening around them, why there is a war, why there is not enough food and water ... they are totally innocent of the reasons of this war.

The Orthodox bishop of Gaza and his assistant are also standing fast in their parish there for a year now. Though they provide shelter for their orthodox christians, they do not provide food. Our Patriarch paid them a visit also.

M. Teresa home for children

There are some 500 people sheltering in our school and church compound. Their resilience must be admired. Do pray for them while you celebrate Christmas. They do not have your luxury of peace. Today Christmas Eve is marked by hope for a silent night ... silent from bombs, silent from drones, silent from killing words, silent from gunfire ....

Hibernate

Courtyard crib

It rained most of yesterday afternoon and again in the night, and though it was 8 degrees it felt much colder. Today it's slightly drizzly but very overcast and cold. I'm feeling very lethargic ... like I should hibernate. Anyway the cold is giving me a headache. I have to cover it with a beanie. And my greatest fear is slipping on the wet pavement stones in the streets. There's no way escaping those ubiquitous stones except by car or tuktuk.

Christmas is in 3 days. But there's little public display of festivities. No public banners or lights or Christmas trees. Most are in private spaces so as not to offend the tragedy around us. We have our annual crib ... life size ... set up in our inner courtyard away from public eyes. It's a-lot more simple than previous years.

I've organized a vigil Mass at Shepherds Field on Dec 24 night ... because no Masses are allowed in the Nativity Basilica except the Midnight Mass presided by the patriarch. Status Quo rules. All other Masses are celebrated in Shepherds Field. This year we have to present a list of those going there to the police who will co-ordinate our entry and exit from Bethlehem. The war has changed the dynamics even of religious feasts.

Rounding the corner

Cold and drizzly

What a cold, clammy morning today. It drizzled as forecast, and the sky was dark and gray. Now if only it would rain hard ... really hard for several days ... then we'll have snow. 

Social media is flooded with photos of the great snowstorm in 2013 we had. Almost 2 feet high snow covered the streets. Electric cables snapped. Power cuts in many parts of the country. It was bad for the elderly who had no heating. But it was 3 days we could not forget ... magical.

My favorite doberman

Christmas is round the corner. While some places have trees ands decorations up, most have decided to keep it low key. The war is still on, people are still suffering. It seems disrespectful to be festive in a time like this. Still it does give a sense of hope. A light shining in the darkness. A child is born ... the Prince of Peace.

Had a scolding from my doc when I told him I stopped one medicine because I felt I was taking too many and it was ruining my health with side-effects. Well what's the use if I take medicine to control one illness but it brings about another 2? Then I have to take more medicines to control these other 2 but the snowball effect continues? 

For consolation I met my favorite doberman yesterday morning on my way to work. Nice specimen about 3 years old. Classic docked ears and tail. And full of energy. I miss having a dog. Right now I have to be satisfied with 2 cockatiels and a conure.

Full moon

Full moon again

Another good friend and former teacher died yesterday. Today the emeritus bishop of Singapore also died. This final month of 2024 is fatal ... in one week I can count at least 10 people I know who died. The Dragon is going out with violence and aggression.

I am still feeling very sick. I went to see the doc very early before the clinic was opened. There was already a line in queue. The doc arranged for me to see a neurologist but I have to wait till February 2025 for the appointment. The heart specialist has to be booked in another hospital. I don't think I'll live to see the doctors.

It's the full moon again. It's enormous and very bright. I had a good time photographing it as I came home from work last night. It's a reminder that the winter solstice is next week ... Dec 21, almost on Christmas Day. It marks the shortest day of the year and officially the 1st day of winter. The Jewish feast of Hanukkah starts on the evening of Christmas Dec 25, so the streets will be crowded with people. Not sure how much festivities are allowed as the war is still not officially over.