Bethlehem came alive with music, colour and faith on Wednesday as the Palestinian city marked its first full Christmas celebration since the outbreak of the Gaza war more than two years ago.
Under a clear blue sky, members of local scouting groups marched through the historic streets, filling the air with the sound of drums and bagpipes as residents and visitors gathered in the city’s iconic Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
For much of the conflict that erupted after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, Christmas in Bethlehem was subdued, with public festivities scaled back in solidarity with Gaza.
This year, however, a fragile truce in the Gaza Strip created space for a cautious return to celebration, even as hundreds of thousands of people there continue to endure harsh winter conditions in makeshift shelters.
Young and old Christians streamed down Star Street toward the city centre, many stopping to watch the scouts parade in their colourful uniforms.
A towering Christmas tree adorned with red and gold decorations sparkled beside the Church of the Nativity, the fourth-century basilica built over the grotto believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
“Today is full of joy because we haven’t been able to celebrate because of the war,” said 17-year-old Milagros Anstas, a member of Bethlehem’s Salesian scout group, as crowds applauded the procession.
Hundreds participated in the march, while spectators packed Manger Square and others watched from balconies overlooking the festivities. Despite the celebratory mood, many residents said the event carried a deeper meaning.
Scout member Katiab Amaya, 18, described the celebrations as a statement of resilience and identity. “It gives us hope that there are still Christians here celebrating and keeping the traditions alive,” she said.
Bethlehem’s municipality had deliberately toned down Christmas activities during the height of the Gaza conflict, a decision shaped by the suffering in the coastal enclave, which is geographically separated from the West Bank by Israel.
Although a US-brokered ceasefire that began in October halted full-scale fighting, the humanitarian toll of the war remains severe.
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“These celebrations are more about hope for our people in Gaza,” Amaya said. “That one day they will also celebrate and live life again.”
Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, arrived in Bethlehem ahead of the traditional Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity.
His visit followed a weekend trip to Gaza, where he led Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City, underscoring the Church’s outreach to communities affected by the war.
Beyond its spiritual importance, the return of Christmas festivities is seen as vital for Bethlehem’s struggling economy. The city depends heavily on tourism, which collapsed during the war, driving unemployment sharply higher.
In recent months, Christian pilgrims have slowly begun returning. Local residents hope the renewed celebrations will help restore Bethlehem’s image as a place of welcome and faith.
“Bethlehem is a very special place,” said George Hanna from the nearby town of Beit Jala. “We need the world to see that again. What is Christmas without celebrating?”
Elsewhere, Christmas Eve was marked by family gatherings and global traditions, from children awaiting gifts to online Santa trackers charting his journey across the skies.
In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV prepared to lead his first Christmas Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica after calling for 24 hours of peace worldwide.
Yet the season also carried reminders of grief. In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the impact of a recent attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, saying the country felt “the weight of sorrow” even as Christmas approached.
In Bethlehem, the renewed celebrations blended joy with reflection, offering a moment of light in a region still shaped by conflict and loss.
Vanguard News
