Church in Bethlehem to use representative rubble instead of bright lights in Christmas crib
Bethlehem: Even as Christians count the day down to the festival marking the occasion of Jesus Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in the heart of the city has taken everyone by surprise with its bold statement that it opposes the traditional bright lights, festive tree or glittering ornaments used as a part of the celebrations.
In contrast, the Church has opted for a decoration made from debris, a visual representation of the destruction faced by Gaza in the current Israel-Palestine clash this year, reports BNN, pointing out that Bethlehem is a focal point for Christian pilgrims as it is believed to be the birthplace of Christ.
The Church is displaying a heap of concrete debris, at the heart of which is a toy baby. The Christmas display is found to be a poignant representation of an infant caught beneath the rubble, as the scene turns all the more grim, surrounded by broken branches of trees, various icons and candles. The ambiance of the entire scene proves to be a complete contrast to the joyous feel and festive cheer in the usual Christmas cribs.
Spiritual leader of the Church Pastor Munzir Ishak has said that the decision to display wreckage in place of the traditional Christmas décor would, hopefully, prove to be a potent message the world over to maintain solidarity with the suffering people of Gaza. God is present in the pain of the people, regardless of acts of violence and destruction, the Pastor emphasized.
He also said that the situation in Palestine, which he called was a 'genocide war' of targeting all of Palestinians, including the civilians, has already extinguished the festive spirit of Christmas. It is not the joyous celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ but a mournful reflection on the human cost of conflict, Ishak added.
The message of the Church proves to be both an act of introspection, reminding the congregation of how God takes human companionship in suffering, and an outward message, pointing out to the Christian community across the world about the grim reality of Christmas in Palestine.
The Church of Nativity in the city is open to visitors from all over the world, especially during Christmas. As a representation of optimism and the enduring spirit of the Palestinians in spite of the challenges, an olive sapling has been placed among the debris. The message of hope and peace put forth by Christmas remains unshaken, regardless of the ongoing conflict across borders.
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Pizza Hut China debuts unusual bullfrog pizza, sparking mixed reactions online
Beijing : Pizza Hut China has taken a bold step into culinary experimentation by introducing a limited-edition pizza topped with deep-fried bullfrog, a move that has garnered both curiosity and criticism online. The unconventional dish was first highlighted by global food trend expert David Henke, who shared a photo of the new menu item on X (formerly Twitter), noting the diverse protein preferences in different cultures.
The pizza, known as "Goblin Pizza," features a thick crust, red sauce, a layer of parsley, and a whole deep-fried bullfrog as the centerpiece. The frog's "eyes" are created with halved hard-boiled eggs, each topped with a black olive, making for a visually striking presentation. According to Korean news outlet Maeil Business Newspaper, the unusual offering is a collaboration with Dungeons and Dragons, inspired by a character from the game.
Details about the availability of this new creation are limited, with no specific information provided on Pizza Hut’s official website. However, the quirky menu item has already become a talking point on social media, drawing a mix of reactions ranging from shock to curiosity.
On Reddit, a photo of the pizza was shared, fueling further debate. Some users labeled the dish as “pure blasphemy,” while one user went so far as to say, “This pizza is a felony.” Another asked, “Why ruin a pizza like that?”
Not all feedback was negative; one commenter admitted that while the frog might be off-putting, they'd be more accepting if the pizza underneath was satisfactory. Another joked, "You can ribbet this right into the garbage."
Amidst the critique, there were voices of intrigue. One foodie defended the dish, saying, “Fried frog legs are so good! Maybe next time, shred the frog leg meat and add it to the pizza—that would be pretty good.”
