For the first time since 2022, the glow of twinkling lights has returned to Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus.
After years of silence driven by the war between Israel and Gaza, Bethlehem celebrated its first Christmas with a triumphant tree-lighting ceremony in Manger Square.
Media reports revealed that the atmosphere in the West Bank city is a stark contrast to the previous two years.
In 2023 and 2024, local authorities and church leaders opted to cancel all public festivities in solidarity with those suffering in Gaza.
This year, however, Bethlehem celebrated Christmas following a brokered U.S. ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza.
A 15-meter Christmas tree, adorned with red and gold baubles, now stands tall outside the Church of the Nativity.
On Wednesday, thousands of locals and pilgrims gathered to witness the annual Scout parade, where youth marching bands filled the narrow cobblestone streets with carols.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who has served as the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020, kicked off the celebration during a traditional procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, calling for “a Christmas full of light.”
Upon his arrival at Manger Square, Pizzaballa said that he came with greetings from the Christian community in Gaza where he held a pre-Christmas Mass on Sunday.
“We, all together, we decide to be the light, and the light of Bethlehem is the light of the world,” Pizzaballa told the crowd, according to the AP.
Also, speaking as Bethlehem celebrated its first Christmas since 2022, Bethlehem’s Mayor, Maher Nicola Canawati, said that the renewed celebrations are meant to restore hope after a prolonged period of hardship.
“After two years of silence,” the Mayor said, “we believe we have reignited the spirit of Christmas, because the people of Bethlehem needed hope—hope for a better tomorrow. And that is exactly what we have done.”
He explained that the message being sent from Bethlehem is addressed not only to Palestinians, but to the entire world. “It is a message that the Palestinian people are ready for peace. The Palestinian people love life,” he said, adding that the city is once again ready to welcome visitors. “Bethlehem is safe, hotels are open, and we are ready to receive everyone.”
Mayor Canawati also underlined that the celebrations are shared by all Palestinians, regardless of religious affiliation. “It feels like a feast for all Palestinians, not only for Christians,” he said. “We are one people—Christians, Muslims, and Samaritans. We love each other, we love peace, and we are ready for justice, peace, and a lasting peace in our country.”
Bethlehem, over which the Palestinian Authority has limited control due to the Oslo Accords, has seen limited Christmas celebrations over the past three years due to the war in Gaza. During the war, Manger Square featured a nativity scene of baby Jesus surrounded by rubble and barbed wire in homage to the situation in Gaza.
During the war, Bethlehem, which relies on tourism, saw a massive drop in visitors.
Recall that the Israel-Gaza ceasefire came after the United States President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point peace framework.
Following the development, officials of Israel and Hamas met in Egypt to ratify the ceasefire deal.
