The leaders – those of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, and others – noted that last year, in the wake of the October 7 Hamas invasion of Israel and Israel’s response, their call to “forego the public display of Christmas lights and decorations, along with their associated festivities” was interpreted by some throughout the world as a “cancellation” of Christmas.