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Thousands Celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem as Peace Deal Brings Festivities Back
Thousands of pilgrims and tourists flocked to Bethlehem this weekend to celebrate Christmas, marking the first major holiday celebrations in the historic city since the implementation of the U.S.-brokered Israel-Hamas peace deal.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020, led the traditional Christmas Eve procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, calling for “a Christmas full of light” as he arrived in Manger Square – the historic plaza named for the manger where Christian tradition holds that Jesus was laid after his birth.
“We, all together, we decide to be the light, and the light of Bethlehem is the light of the world,” Pizzaballa told the gathered crowd. The Cardinal also shared greetings from the Christian community in Gaza, where he had held a pre-Christmas Mass just days earlier.
The return of Christmas celebrations to Bethlehem represents a significant turning point for the West Bank city, which had seen holiday festivities severely curtailed over the past two years due to the war in Gaza. During that period, even Manger Square’s nativity scene reflected the regional turmoil, featuring baby Jesus surrounded by rubble and barbed wire in homage to conditions in Gaza.
Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati, who announced the return of celebrations in November, expressed hope in his message to visitors: “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.”
The city began its Christmas season on December 6 with the lighting of Bethlehem’s Christmas tree, the first such ceremony since 2022. “We came to celebrate, watch and enjoy, because for several years we haven’t had the chance,” said Randa Bsoul, a Palestinian visitor from Haifa, Israel, capturing the sentiment of many attendees.
The resumption of festivities brings crucial economic hope to Bethlehem, which relies heavily on tourism. The impact of the conflict on the city has been severe – according to Mayor Canawati, unemployment in Bethlehem skyrocketed from 14% to 65% during the war, with approximately 4,000 people left searching for work. Poverty rates similarly soared as the tourism industry that sustains many local families ground to a halt.
Bethlehem holds a unique administrative status in the region. While located in the West Bank, it falls under limited Palestinian Authority control as established by the Oslo Accords. This political arrangement has made the city particularly vulnerable to regional instability.
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire that has allowed for this year’s celebrations has largely remained intact, despite occasional accusations of violations from both sides. According to recent statements from U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, preparations for the second phase of the peace plan are already underway, following high-level diplomatic talks in Miami with representatives from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.
For many visitors and locals alike, this Christmas in Bethlehem represents more than just a religious observance – it symbolizes hope for continued stability in a region that has seen too little of it. As tourists return to the ancient streets and religious sites, local businesses that have struggled through years of hardship are beginning to see signs of recovery.
The resumption of Christmas celebrations in the city revered as the birthplace of Jesus marks not only a religious milestone but also potentially signals a new chapter in the complex journey toward regional peace. For Bethlehem’s residents, the sound of Christmas carols replacing air raid sirens offers tangible hope that better days may lie ahead.
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10 Comments
It’s heartening to see the Christian community in Gaza also able to hold pre-Christmas Mass this year. Small steps towards lasting peace in the region.
Agreed. Even small signs of progress can mean so much after years of conflict. Here’s hoping this is the start of a new era of stability and cooperation.
Wonderful to see the Christmas spirit return to Bethlehem after such a difficult period. The peace deal is truly a blessing, allowing pilgrims and tourists to celebrate this joyous occasion once again.
While it’s wonderful to see the celebrations return, we must remain cautious. Lasting peace is fragile, and continued dialogue and compromise will be essential to maintain the progress made.
The lighting of the nativity scene in Manger Square must have been a powerful and symbolic moment. A return to tradition and faith after so much strife.
Yes, the lighting of the nativity scene is a poignant reminder of the enduring spirit of Christmas, even in the face of adversity. A beacon of hope for the region.
Seeing Bethlehem bustling with pilgrims and tourists again is a heartening sight. Let’s hope this is the start of a new era of stability and prosperity for the region.
The U.S.-brokered peace deal is certainly a positive step, but the true test will be whether it can withstand the test of time and lead to more substantive cooperation between the parties involved.
Kudos to Cardinal Pizzaballa for his leadership and for bringing greetings from the Gaza community. Building bridges and fostering unity is crucial at this time.
With the peace deal in place, I hope the tourism industry in Bethlehem can begin to recover. The city has so much historical and religious significance, and deserves to thrive.