PNW STAFF
There was a time when Christmas tree lightings were among the safest, simplest joys of American life--moments when families braved the cold to watch bulbs flicker on and remember that light still shines in the darkness. But this year in Portland, that light was dimmed.
A holiday tradition meant for children and families was overtaken by political theatrics as the annual tree-lighting ceremony was transformed into a stage for a "Free Palestine" rally, with accusations of "genocide," chants against Israel, and an unmistakable attempt to inject anti-Israel messaging into a moment meant for celebration and unity.
It was more than uncomfortable. For many Christians who were present--or who later watched the footage--it felt like a desecration of something sacred.
Portland officials had already stripped the event of its Christmas identity. The word "Christmas" was removed from promotional materials, replaced with the vague "the tree," as though the city feared speaking the name of the holiday that birthed the tradition. Even traditional hymns were rebranded "holiday songs," and no mention was made of Hanukkah or any other winter celebration.
Into that identity vacuum stepped an invited speaker who seized the moment to call Israel's war against Hamas "a full-blown genocide," holding a Palestinian flag and leading the crowd in chanting, "Free, free Palestine." A significant portion of the audience joined in; others were stunned. Parents with children on their shoulders came expecting Santa and sparkling lights--not a political rally echoing Hamas talking points.
For Christians, Christmas is not merely cultural--it is spiritual. It honors the birth of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. The shift away from "Christmas" to the generic "holiday season" already felt like an erasure. But to replace that erasure with a rally built on misinformation about Israel was especially painful for believers who cherish the biblical link between Christianity and the Jewish people.
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