Bethlehem Celebrates Christmas After Two-Year Hiatus

The biblical city of Bethlehem has resumed its public Christmas celebrations for the first time in two years, marking a cautious return of holiday tradition to the city revered as the birthplace of Jesus. The festivities, centered around the annual lighting of a large Christmas tree in Manger Square, had been suspended since the onset of the Israel-Gaza war [20115][20202][20473].

Thousands of local Palestinians gathered for the tree-lighting ceremony, which featured traditional carols and prayers for peace [34360][34095]. The event, while a significant moment for the community, was notably subdued compared to pre-war years. Organizers deliberately scaled back the usual large concerts and festive fanfare out of respect for the ongoing conflict and the suffering in Gaza [20202][20368][20473]. In a powerful symbolic gesture, some nativity scenes in the square were altered to reflect the current reality, depicting the baby Jesus surrounded by symbolic rubble and wrapped in a Palestinian *keffiyeh*, a traditional scarf [33984][34279].

The return of public observance is seen as an act of resilience. "The celebrations provide a temporary lift," noted one report, acknowledging the mix of joy and sorrow felt by attendees [34279]. Church leaders, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, used the occasion to call for a ceasefire and a lasting political solution to the war [20368][20473].

Despite the symbolic return to tradition, a profound economic shadow lingers. Bethlehem’s economy is heavily dependent on Christian pilgrimage and tourism, which have collapsed since the war began [33986][20115]. Hotels and souvenir shops around Manger Square remain nearly empty, with international visitors staying away due to safety concerns [33986][33984]. "Normally, we are fully booked months in advance," said one hotel manager. "Now, we have more staff than guests" [33986].

The current celebrations were made possible by a ceasefire, but tourism officials warn that without a durable peace, the city's recovery remains in doubt [33986][34095]. For now, Bethlehem’s muted Christmas offers a moment of hope and reflection for its residents, even as the path to normalcy appears distant.