On a narrow lane in the village of Al Qaniya, in Syria’s western Idlib countryside, coloured lights hang between stone houses and a Christmas tree stands in the church square – modest, but unmistakable.
For the Christian families here, it is a scene many thought they would never witness again.
“This is what joy looks like,” said Joseph Angelo, a lifelong resident of Al Qaniya, as villagers gathered around the tree. “We all suffered through the war years. Today, we are celebrating Christmas publicly for the first time.”
It is the first Christmas celebration in Al Qaniya – and neighbouring villages including Yaqubiya, Al Jadida and Al Ghasaniyah – since t
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