Christmas Celebrations Rekindle Hope in Bethlehem After Years of Conflict
BETHLEHEM, West Bank — For the first time in over two years, the streets of Bethlehem came alive with the joyful sounds and sights of Christmas celebrations, as thousands gathered to commemorate the holiday in the city revered as the birthplace of Jesus. This resurgence of festive spirit follows the recent implementation of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which has brought a fragile calm to the region.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020, led a traditional procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, calling for “a Christmas full of light” amid the lingering shadows of conflict. Upon reaching Manger Square — named after the manger where Christian tradition holds Jesus was born — Cardinal Pizzaballa shared greetings from the Christian community in Gaza, where he conducted a pre-Christmas Mass just days earlier. “We, all together, we decide to be the light, and the light of Bethlehem is the light of the world,” he told the assembled crowd.
In November, Bethlehem’s Mayor Maher Canawati announced the city’s plans to revive Christmas festivities, emphasizing the symbolic importance of the celebrations. “From the heart of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, the city of peace — once again, we ignite the flame of hope and raise our prayers for peace,” Canawati said in a video posted to Instagram. “Let us celebrate together the message of Christmas. Glory to God in the highest — on Earth, peace, goodwill to all. Bethlehem keeps the light alive.”
The city began its holiday season on December 6 with the lighting of its first Christmas tree since 2022, marking a hopeful return for residents and visitors alike. “We came to celebrate, watch and enjoy, because for several years we haven’t had the chance,” said Randa Bsoul, a Palestinian from Haifa, Israel, reflecting the sentiments of many who had been deprived of the traditional festivities.
During the recent war, Bethlehem — which is under limited Palestinian Authority control as per the Oslo Accords — experienced a near-total halt of Christmas events. The city, heavily reliant on tourism, suffered a devastating blow as visitor numbers plummeted. Mayor Canawati reported that unemployment soared from 14% to 65%, with approximately 4,000 residents left without work, exacerbating poverty and hardship.
Throughout the conflict, Manger Square bore a poignant nativity scene depicting baby Jesus surrounded by rubble and barbed wire, a somber tribute to the suffering in Gaza. This year’s celebrations, however, offered a stark contrast, as the community embraced a renewed sense of peace and unity.
The return of Christmas festivities in Bethlehem is a testament to the resilience of its people and the potential for peace in a region long marked by strife. The U.S. role in brokering the ceasefire highlights the ongoing international efforts to stabilize the area, as detailed by the U.S. Department of State. Meanwhile, the United Nations Peacekeeping mission continues to monitor the situation to support lasting security.
Religious leaders and local officials alike have expressed hope that this Christmas marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bethlehem and the broader region. The CIA World Factbook notes the strategic and symbolic importance of Bethlehem, underscoring why the revival of its Christmas celebrations resonates far beyond its borders.
As the city’s lights illuminate Manger Square once more, the message from Bethlehem is clear: even after years of darkness, the light of hope and peace endures.
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