There are no halls decked with boughs of holly; Christmas trees with lights, garlands, and tinsel ornaments; or Yuletide stockings and other decors on the wall in some houses of UAE residents this Christmas. Some Christians are not keen on celebrating Christmas or will have a muted celebration because of what's happening in Gaza.

But churches will be full and homes filled with prayers. There will still be gatherings with friends and family as they ponder on the “meaning and celebration of Christmas”.

Khaleej Times spoke to some Christians living in Dubai and they said: “There's no denying that this year has been harder than usual on many people — especially the Palestinians in Gaza.”

“In lieu of the usual festive celebrations, we decided to mainly focus on contemplation and prayers to convey our message of solidarity with the victims of this atrocious war,” they added.

Lebanese expat Suzan Kazzi said: “Christians' true celebration of Christmas is very spiritual and modest. At church, we will be praying for Gaza and all people in war zones.”

Evgheni Pogonii, from Moldova, added: “This year, Christmas for me is not just a time for joy and celebration but also for contemplation and compassion. The situation in Gaza is tragic and I cannot remain indifferent.”

The pain is very evident among Palestinians, bordering on despair. A Palestinian mother who asked not to be named said: “Christmas is my kid's favourite holiday and our family – that is considered a bit on the religious side – would go to mass and have a typical Christmas day. But this year we aren't excited or even merry.

“Christmas doesn't feel like a holiday but it's forced. It's kind of like no one deserves to celebrate because of the martyrs in Gaza. Bethlehem cancelled Christmas celebrations and Ramallah will most likely too. So, we decided not to put up a Christmas tree to at least show respect and love to Gazans. To be honest we're still thinking whether or not we want to get the kids gifts or not to this year. Obviously we don't want to upset them but we need to teach them to respect their families in Gaza. Some families also decided not to put their Christmas trees but instead focus on praying for the martyrs and suffering Palestinians,” she added.

Another Palestinian expat living in Dubai added: “There are no Christmas trees or decorations or celebrations this year. I will be with my mum, brothers and sister-inlaw at home, praying for the rest of our family in Gaza who are seeking shelter in Latin and Orthodox churches.”

The scene of baby Jesus not in swaddling clothes but wrapped in Palestinian keffiyeh and born not in the manger – as traditionally depicted in the Nativity scene – but on a pile of rubble, is a stark symbol of destruction in Gaza for Filipino expat Michelle Oribello. She said she had seen so many pictures on social media of young children being pulled out of the rubble, lifeless.

The photo was tweeted by Rev. Munther Isaac, Evangelical Lutheran Pastor in Bethlehem, who said: “We did this to emphasise that Jesus is in solidarity with those who suffered… this is our message to the world that this is what Christmas looks like in Bethlehem. This is what Christmas looks like in Palestine, with occupation, with destruction, with the bombardment of children. While the world is celebrating, our children are under the rubble. While the world is celebrating, our families are displaced, and their homes are destroyed. So this is Christmas to us in Palestine.”

“This year, Christmas celebrations are cancelled in Bethlehem, and for obvious reasons. It's impossible to celebrate while our people in Gaza are going through a genocide, when children are being massacred in such a brutal manner. All the heads of churches in Jerusalem decided that Christmas celebrations will be mainly prayers with no festive celebrations,” he added.