Light a Red Candle this Christmas

Shine the light of peace and justice

Ways to take part
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First Light, Grotto of the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem · Photo: HPCCA

Christmas begins in Bethlehem. A child, born. A light that carries the power to transform us all.

Yet today, like in Jesus’ time, Bethlehem, West Bank is occupied. Palestinians and Palestinian Christians trace their lineages back to the time of Christ himself, yet they are facing extraordinary violence and displacement in the land of their ancestors, even as many Christians remain unaware of their story.

This Christmas, light a red candle as an embodied act of solidarity with Bethlehem’s living stones—the Palestinian Christian communities still shepherding the flame of our faith in the land of Jesus’ birth.

Three heads of churches holding red candles in the Grotto of the Church of the Nativity

Photo: HPCCA

First Light in Palestine

The first red candle was lit last year within the Grotto of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem by three heads of churches. This year, it will again be lit in Bethlehem, spreading throughout Palestine to the rest of the world. Join us and take up the flame.

Clergy and families gathered with red candles in the Grotto of the Church of the Nativity

Photo: HPCCA

Global Lighting: Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, churches, families, and friends around the world light their red candles together, one shared flame for justice and peace.

Counting down to Christmas Eve
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Light a red candle

On your own, with your family, or as a congregation, your red candle becomes a sign of solidarity with Palestine and all who long for peace and justice.

A red candle burning beside an olive wood nativity on a bookshelf
Individual

Make space for Palestine in your Advent practice.

As you prepare your heart for the coming of the Prince of Peace, incorporate the red candle into your traditions as a spiritual practice of solidarity. Whether you light a red candle daily, weekly, or just on Christmas Eve, name its meaning: a light for peace and justice in Palestine, and for a future of mutual liberation, dignity, and flourishing for everyone in the Holy Land.

Christmas cookies decorated with a red candle, a dove, and lights
Family

Share the living story of Bethlehem.

As you mark Advent this year, incorporate the red candle together into your family traditions. Use the moment to talk about Bethlehem—not only as the place where Jesus was born, but as a living place with a living Christian community. Whether you light a red candle daily, weekly, or just on Christmas Eve, pray together for Palestinian Christians and for all who long for peace and justice in the Holy Land.

Congregation holding lit red candles at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC
Congregation

Invite your congregation into a Bethlehem Christmas.

Consider lighting a red candle each week and reading a prayer for peace and justice, or telling the story of the Christian community in Palestine. Place a red candle on the altar, communion table, or manger scene. If you pass the light, replace white candles with red ones. Name the candle’s meaning: a light for peace and justice in Palestine and for a future of mutual liberation, dignity, and flourishing for everyone in the Holy Land.

Then, during your Christmas Eve service, join churches around the world for a collective red candle lighting.

Photo: Faith Snipes

Pastor invitation (PDF)
Sign the Red Candle pledge
Voices from Bethlehem and beyond

The light is spreading

Church leaders in Palestine and friends around the world on why they light a red candle.

Archbishop Atallah Hanna
St. James Cathedral, Jerusalem

Rev. Dr. Jack Sara
Grotto of the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

Fr. Bashar Fawadleh
Taybeh, Palestine

Fares Abraham
Washington, DC

Carlos Rodríguez
Happy Givers · Vega Baja, Puerto Rico

Shiloh Baptist Church, Washington, DC
Shiloh Baptist Church, Washington, DC

Photo: Faith Snipes

First United Methodist Church, Beaverton, Oregon
First United Methodist Church, Beaverton, Oregon
Bethlehem
Baraka Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
First Light, Grotto of the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
First Light, Grotto of the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

Photo: HPCCA

Taybeh, Palestine
Taybeh, Palestine
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hope, Ramallah
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hope, Ramallah
Bethlehem
Baraka Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem
Mother Agapia, Washington, DC
Mother Agapia, Washington, DC

Photo: Khurram Janjua

Flintholm Church, Copenhagen
Flintholm Church, Copenhagen
Holy Theotokos of Iveron Orthodox Church, Honolulu
Holy Theotokos of Iveron Orthodox Church, Honolulu
Santa Maria del Soccorso, Rome
Santa Maria del Soccorso, Rome
Anglican Cathedral, Brasília
Anglican Cathedral, Brasília
Osaka, Japan
Osaka, Japan
Holy Fire procession, Taybeh
Holy Fire procession, Taybeh
Good Shepherd, New York
Good Shepherd Church, New York

Liturgies, Resources for your Congregation, and More

Liturgies, devotions, and guides to help you mark Advent and Christmas in solidarity with Bethlehem. New resources will be added here as they become available. Want them as soon as they’re ready? Sign the Red Candle pledge and we’ll send them to your inbox. Questions now? See our FAQs or email info@redcandle.org.

Church Leader’s Red Candle Guide

How to get your congregation involved in Red Candle this Advent.

Munther Isaac’s Christ in the Rubble sermon

Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac’s Christmas 2023 sermon from Bethlehem.

Devotional

Daily reflections, prayers, and more from Palestinian Christians.

Congregational FAQs

Answers to common questions from congregants to church leaders.

Further Resources

Resources for further learning and engagement, created by our partners.

Weekly liturgies

Prayers and readings for lighting a red candle each week of Advent.

Get your red candle

Whether you need one candle for your living room or several hundred for your Christmas Eve service, we have ethically-sourced red candles available!

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