Preparations for Christmas in the city of Daraa, southern Syria, have witnessed activity through cleaning campaigns for roads and decorating the Christmas tree, in addition to families buying new clothes and preparing sweets in anticipation of the holiday.
This year, Christmas decorations among families in Daraa governorate, have been limited to a few minor additions, relying on last year’s old tree and its hidden decorations, while the rise in the prices of clothes and sweets poses another challenge due to the weak purchasing power of the residents.
The decoration of the tree and the nativity scene is considered one of the most important customs practiced by Christians, creating an atmosphere of hope and joy.
Hassan al-Shammas stated that the cost of purchasing a Christmas tree ranges between one million and three million Syrian pounds (about 227 US dollars), with the decoration costing nearly one million pounds.
Al-Shammas, who is a Christian, added that most Christians reused the same tree and decorations.
Suleiman’s family from the Shamal al-Khat neighbourhood reused the same tree, changing some bulbs to different colors. He told Enab Baladi that decorating the tree and nativity is one of the festive customs present in every home.
He added that it is necessary to buy new clothes, noting that he spent one million Syrian pounds on holiday clothes.
Meanwhile, Tawfiq’s family made sweets including Maamoul, cookies, and wrapped chocolate,” which are offered on Christmas morning to guests. He mentioned to Enab Baladi that the high cost of ingredients for making sweets forced some families to buy small amounts of ready-made sweets.
The Syrian Society for Social Development undertook cleaning the area around the Lady of the Annunciation Orthodox Church and supplying electricity to its façade and the ancient tree nearby.
Nassim al-Masalmeh, a coordinator at the Syrian Society for Social Development, told Enab Baladi that the association worked on cleaning the church and decorating the Christmas tree, believing that this work enhances ties between communities and fosters brotherhood among the different segments of society.
Active preparations for Christmas in Daraa – December 24, 2024 (Enab Baladi/Halim Muhammad)
On his part, Father Georges stated that the birth of Christ recurs every year, but this holiday witnesses a new birth for Syria.
He added to Enab Baladi that the community, with all its sects, is congratulatory and strives to bring joy to the Christian community rooted in the land of Horan for two thousand years.
Father Georges noted that since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, the church opened its doors to those fleeing from the oppression of Assad’s forces, helping transport and aid the wounded.
This holiday coincides with an exceptional event taking place in Syria, with the fall of the Syrian regime and Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Russia on December 8.
Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, is associated with several traditions, the most prominent of which is decorating the Christmas tree and the nativity scene, with the tree being placed in the house in the period preceding the holiday.
There are numerous narratives about the Christmas tree and its symbolism, expressing hope, joy, and happiness in many cultures. In 1982, the first Christmas tree was placed in St. Peter’s Square in front of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Vatican City, Rome.
The practice of placing a tree is not limited to Christians in Syria; many families, regardless of their religious or sectarian affiliations, also set up Christmas trees, reflecting the diversity of the social fabric in Syria.