On Saturday 21st December, from 1-3pm, in solidarity with Palestinians, people from across Milton Keynes will gather outside the Central Milton Keynes train station to hold a vigil beside a life-size nativity scene depicting baby Jesus lying amongst rubble.
The organisers of the vigil have been inspired by churches in Jerusalem who are refraining from traditional Christmas celebrations due to the ongoing massacre in Palestine. This symbolic nativity scene, with baby Jesus wrapped in a Palestinian keffiyeh and buried under rubble, echoes the destruction and suffering experienced in Gaza today, where more than half of the population are children and babies.
The idea for the 'Nativity in the Rubble' came from the Revd. Dr. Munther Isaac of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem last year. Again this year the Revd. Isaac has said that if Jesus was born today in our world, he would be born in Gaza under the rubble as a sign of solidarity with the oppressed."
Speaking to Al Jazeera last year, he explained: “It’s impossible to celebrate when there is a massacre, a genocide taking place in Gaza with our people. The idea was to send a message to the world that this is what Christmas looks like in Palestine: people, children, being pulled from under the rubble, families being displaced, homes destroyed.”
This year’s vigil in Milton Keynes reflects the same message of solidarity and the urgent call for peace. As the crisis in Gaza continues, the Palestine solidarity movement has grown stronger, both locally and globally. One of the organisers of the vigil noted: “The overwhelming support for Palestine in Milton Keynes reflects a wider global awakening. More and more people are standing up, demanding an end to the violence and injustice that has persisted for decades.”
Those hosting the vigil hope to be joined by fellow citizens who are distressed and horrified by the ongoing genocide in Palestine. A growing majority in Milton Keynes support an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to Israeli occupation, and the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, including food, fuel, medicine, and the restoration of basic services such as water and electricity to Gaza.
Local resident and member of the Church of Christ the Cornerstone, David Chapman, said “In the Christmas story, we hear angels sing of the promise of peace. That song echoes today as people of all faiths and none pray for lasting peace and justice for both Israel and Palestine.”
Everyone is welcome to attend the vigil on Saturday 21st December outside Central Milton Keynes train station. The event will begin at 1pm and conclude at 3pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring placards, banners, and messages of solidarity, as well as homemade rubble crafted from cardboard to contribute to the nativity scene. Together, the people of Milton Keynes can send a powerful message of peace, justice, and an end to British complicity in the genocide of Palestinians.
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