Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, marked a deeply symbolic and emotionally charged Christmas on Thursday, celebrating the holy season for the first time in two years amid a backdrop of conflict, loss and fragile hope.
Residents and visitors gathered in Manger Square, where a large Christmas tree stood illuminated, as the narrow streets surrounding the square filled with the sound of drums and brass instruments. Local scout bands paraded in uniform, performing Christmas carols alongside traditional Palestinian music, blending religious celebration with expressions of national and cultural identity.
The return of Christmas festivities follows the suspension of public celebrations in 2023 and 2024, a decision taken in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing war and humanitarian devastation.
A restrained but meaningful celebration
Despite the scaled-back nature of the events compared with pre-war years, the atmosphere was marked by a mixture of joy and mourning. Approximately 1,500 people — Palestinians and foreign visitors — attended the celebrations, underlining the enduring importance of Christmas in Bethlehem even as the Christian population in the occupied West Bank continues to decline.
For many attendees, the gathering represented resilience rather than festivity alone.
George Zalloum, a Palestinian Christian from occupied East Jerusalem, was among those who travelled to Bethlehem for the occasion, describing the moment as both spiritual and deeply emotional.
Presence of the Latin Patriarch
Among the prominent figures present was Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, the highest-ranking Catholic authority in Palestine and the wider region. Addressing the crowd during the Christmas service, he spoke of light, hope and endurance.
“Here in Bethlehem, from where I send my Christmas message not only to this city but to the entire world, I have witnessed the presence of light,” he said.
“And this is not only the light of the sun, but the light of your beautiful faces.”
“We have chosen to be light,” he added.
“And the light of Bethlehem is the light of the world. Today, we bring you peace, prayers and hearts.”
The Patriarch, who recently visited Gaza, also spoke candidly about the suffering he witnessed there.
“In Gaza, I saw total destruction,” he said.
“But amid that destruction, I also felt a passion for life. Out of nothingness, people created reasons for joy and celebration. They remind us that it is possible to return and rebuild, despite human devastation.”
“We will be able to celebrate again in Gaza and in Bethlehem,” he continued.
“We will return to rebuild everything.”
Message beyond Bethlehem
Bethlehem’s mayor, Maher Tchanagwati, said the Christmas celebrations carried significance far beyond the city itself, sending a message of perseverance to all Palestinians.
“The message of Bethlehem today is one of steadfastness and hope — for the people of the city, for Gaza, and for all of Palestine,” he told Al Jazeera.
“Today, we send a message to the entire world that the Palestinian people love life and peace, and that they cannot be uprooted from their land and their roots, because they are its rightful owners.”
Cautious tourism recovery
The mayor also pointed to early signs of economic recovery after a prolonged collapse in tourism, a sector vital to Bethlehem’s economy due to the global significance of the Church of the Nativity.
“All of Bethlehem’s hotels are reopening their doors to welcome local and international visitors after nearly two years of near-total closure,” he said.
“God willing, the wheel of tourism has begun to turn again.”
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism, hotel occupancy rates since the beginning of the year have reached just 25 per cent, underscoring the scale of the economic damage still facing the city.
As Bethlehem cautiously reclaims its place on the global Christmas map, this year’s celebrations stood as a testament to faith, endurance and the enduring human desire for peace amid conflict.
