A Somber Christmas in Bethlehem: The Birthplace of Jesus in the Shadow of the Conflict

By Malak Khaled

For the second consecutive year, Bethlehem’s Christmas celebrations are muted in solidarity with the genocide unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank. The city’s Manger Square, once a bustling hub of festive joy, is now quiet and devoid of decorations. 

A Sombre Christmas in Palestine

The death toll continues to rise, with reports from the Palestinian Health Ministry stating that eight Palestinians were killed during raids near Tulkarem the night before Christmas.

The gravity of the situation in Gaza is further emphasized by a statement released by UNRWA on the same night, revealing that one Palestinian child is killed every hour in Gaza from the relentless bombardment.

The Israeli army has set up checkpoints around the city, restricting movement and preventing Palestinians from other areas from visiting Bethlehem, further isolating the city.

Mayor Anton Salman explained the decision not to put up a Christmas tree, saying, “It was difficult for us to celebrate in the midst of this tragedy. Bethlehem is not separate from Gaza, and we wanted to express the unity of all Palestinians.”

This bleak scene continues from last Christmas, when inside the Church of the Nativity, a toy representing baby Jesus, wrapped in a keffiyeh and lying in the rubble, was featured—a powerful symbol of the suffering in Palestine.

Bethlehem: The Heart of Christianity 

Bethlehem holds a profound place in Christianity, being the birthplace of Jesus Christ and home to the Church of the Nativity, the oldest continuously operating church in the world.

This holy city is also deeply connected to Al-Quds, just a few miles away, which houses the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. 

Together, these sacred places form the cornerstone of the Christian faith and typically draw millions of pilgrims each year to celebrate the birth and life of Christ.

This year, however, the lack of tourists coming to celebrate Christmas reflects the situation in Palestine.

Tourism has suffered greatly, with hotel occupancy falling from 80% in early 2023 to just 3% today, leaving local businesses struggling to survive. As Bethlehems relies heavily on tourism, this threatens the Christians’ presence in Palestine.

Resilience and Hope: A Prayer for Peace in Palestine

Despite the pain and loss, Palestinians cling to hope and faith. The Latin Patriarch of Al-Quds, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who visited Gaza earlier this week, described witnessing the “total destruction” but also the “strong will of the Palestinian people who will not surrender.” 

Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salman reinforced this sentiment: “This year’s holiday is a prayer for the souls of the martyrs and a hope that this injustice will end.”

The Church of the Nativity, having endured centuries of invasions and turmoil, stands as a symbol of resilience, reflecting the unbreakable spirit of the Palestinian people.

Midnight Mass will proceed as planned, with prayers focusing on peace and unity. “A church without Christians is not a church,” said Thaljieh, a Bethlehem resident, highlighting the importance of perseverance in these hard times. 

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