Groups Urge Christians to Light Red Candle During Advent for Palestinian Christians

Groups across the United States are calling on Christians to light a red candle during the Advent season as a symbolic act of remembrance and prayer for Palestinian Christians. The initiative, known as the “Red Candle” campaign, is led by a coalition of Catholic, mainline Protestant, historic peace church, and advocacy groups. It seeks to highlight the suffering of Palestinian Christians amid ongoing conflict in the region, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank.

The campaign emphasizes that for Palestinian Christians, the color red carries deep symbolic meaning. It represents the blood of Christ, themes of life and resurrection, and is also associated with traditional Palestinian dress and the poppy, an unofficial national flower. The initiative encourages participants to light a red candle as part of their holiday displays, using it as a reminder to pray for peace and justice.

In addition to the candle lighting, the campaign urges Christians to sign a pledge committing to advocacy for justice and peace. Supporting organizations include Churches for Middle East Peace, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Pax Christi USA, Red Letter Christians, and the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church and Society. The initiative emerged from efforts by the Telos Group to connect American and Palestinian Christians in the pursuit of peace.

The campaign’s website highlights the often-overlooked plight of Palestinian Christians, who have endured generations of violence and displacement. It notes that while many Christians focus on the traditional aspects of Christmas, such as the story of Bethlehem, the suffering of Palestinian Christians in the land of Jesus’s birth is frequently ignored or even condoned. The initiative challenges this apathy and calls for a reexamination of theological perspectives that may justify violence.

Participants are encouraged to recenter their Advent reflections on the radical call of Jesus to peacemaking. The initiative envisions a Church united in advocating for a peaceful and flourishing Holy Land, where all people—regardless of religion or background—can live in equality, dignity, and freedom. This vision aligns with the biblical call to seek peace and justice, as seen in Romans 12:18, which urges believers to live in harmony with others.

The campaign serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for prayer, advocacy, and solidarity with those suffering in the Holy Land. It reflects a growing movement among Christians to address the complex realities of the region with compassion and a commitment to the values of mercy and justice. As the Advent season approaches, the red candle stands as a symbol of hope and a call to action for a more just and peaceful future.

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