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Grieving and often overlooked, Palestinian Christians prepare for a somber Christmas amid war

By MARIAM FAM, Associated Press
Published: December 25, 2023, 6:00am
4 Photos
FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, file photo, Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa greets worshippers in Manger Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem during Christmas celebrations.
FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, file photo, Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa greets worshippers in Manger Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem during Christmas celebrations. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) Photo Gallery

It’s normally a moment of pure joy for the Rev. Khader Khalilia: the excitement, the giggles, the kisses, as his young daughters — in their Christmas pajamas — open their gifts. But this year, just the thought of it fills Khalilia with guilt.

“I’m struggling,” said the Palestinian American pastor of Redeemer-St.

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