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The usually vibrant and festive atmosphere in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, was overshadowed by the ongoing war in Gaza, subduing the holiday cheer. The streets, typically adorned with festive decorations, stood quiet on this special evening, with a noticeable absence of worshipers and tourists in the historic town, recognized as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
In solidarity with the people of Gaza, grappling with the deadliest conflict to engulf the besieged Palestinian territory, the usual celebrations in the Holy Land were canceled. The city's Manger Square, normally bustling with joy, witnessed an eerie stillness as residents grappled with the harsh realities of the conflict.
"A lot of people are dying for this land," says Nicole Najjar, an 18-year-old student in the city's deserted Manger Square.
"It's really hard to celebrate while our people are dying."
A poignant symbol of the tragedy unfolding in Gaza replaced the customary life-size nativity scene and towering Christmas tree at the Church of the Nativity. An art installation now stands as a stark reminder of the immense human suffering, while a nearby banner boldly declares, "Stop the genocide, stop the displacement, lift the blockade."
A message in support of Gaza adorns a building near Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity square in the West Bank on December 24, 2023, before midnight mass. (Hazem Bader,AFP)
The profound impact of the war resonates beyond the borders of Gaza, reaching even the city's churches. In a gesture of solidarity, an estimated 1,000 Christians in Gaza sought refuge in their places of worship, with the recent tragedy of a mother and daughter being killed inside the Church of the Holy Family underscoring the severity of the situation.
In Bethlehem, where joyous parades and celebrations typically fill the air, the streets echoed with silent footsteps this year. Banners carried by children expressed a collective desire for life over death, emphasizing the need for peace in a region marred by conflict.
Addressing the congregation during midnight mass, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa vowed not to abandon the people of Gaza. Amidst the usual pleas for peace and goodwill, a poignant sentiment echoed through the streets of Bethlehem – a plea for life, not death.
Palestinian artist Rana Bishara with her baby Jesus in an incubator installation at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, December 24, 2023. (Hazem Bader, AFP)
As Christmas morning unfolded, a massive Palestinian flag was raised in Manger Square, symbolizing unity across religious lines. Yet, this year marked a departure from the usual festivities, with a prevailing sense of sadness, grief, and loss evident in the words of Mervat Murra, a Bethlehem fashion designer.
The Giacaman family, who opened their shop after 11 weeks, attested to the immense challenges faced, surpassing even the hardships of the previous years. With hostilities extending beyond Gaza to the West Bank, where lives have been lost, the call for celebration felt hollow, replaced by a collective mourning for those affected by the conflict.
[readmore url="https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/world/210561"]
"We don't feel like celebrating while Gaza is suffering genocide and even here in the West Bank, we mourn young people killed by the Israelis and others detained every day," Mitri Raheb, pastor of a Lutheran church in Bethlehem, tells AFP.
"All we want for Christmas is a lasting ceasefire to put an end to this atrocity," he says.
"Bethlehem gave Jesus to the world," he asserted, "It's high time the world gave peace to Bethlehem and Gaza." In this season of hope, the resounding call is for a gift of enduring peace in a region yearning for solace.
Miroslava Salazar, with AFP
In solidarity with the people of Gaza, grappling with the deadliest conflict to engulf the besieged Palestinian territory, the usual celebrations in the Holy Land were canceled. The city's Manger Square, normally bustling with joy, witnessed an eerie stillness as residents grappled with the harsh realities of the conflict.
"A lot of people are dying for this land," says Nicole Najjar, an 18-year-old student in the city's deserted Manger Square.
"It's really hard to celebrate while our people are dying."
A poignant symbol of the tragedy unfolding in Gaza replaced the customary life-size nativity scene and towering Christmas tree at the Church of the Nativity. An art installation now stands as a stark reminder of the immense human suffering, while a nearby banner boldly declares, "Stop the genocide, stop the displacement, lift the blockade."
A message in support of Gaza adorns a building near Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity square in the West Bank on December 24, 2023, before midnight mass. (Hazem Bader,AFP)The profound impact of the war resonates beyond the borders of Gaza, reaching even the city's churches. In a gesture of solidarity, an estimated 1,000 Christians in Gaza sought refuge in their places of worship, with the recent tragedy of a mother and daughter being killed inside the Church of the Holy Family underscoring the severity of the situation.
In Bethlehem, where joyous parades and celebrations typically fill the air, the streets echoed with silent footsteps this year. Banners carried by children expressed a collective desire for life over death, emphasizing the need for peace in a region marred by conflict.
Addressing the congregation during midnight mass, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa vowed not to abandon the people of Gaza. Amidst the usual pleas for peace and goodwill, a poignant sentiment echoed through the streets of Bethlehem – a plea for life, not death.
Palestinian artist Rana Bishara with her baby Jesus in an incubator installation at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, December 24, 2023. (Hazem Bader, AFP)As Christmas morning unfolded, a massive Palestinian flag was raised in Manger Square, symbolizing unity across religious lines. Yet, this year marked a departure from the usual festivities, with a prevailing sense of sadness, grief, and loss evident in the words of Mervat Murra, a Bethlehem fashion designer.
The Giacaman family, who opened their shop after 11 weeks, attested to the immense challenges faced, surpassing even the hardships of the previous years. With hostilities extending beyond Gaza to the West Bank, where lives have been lost, the call for celebration felt hollow, replaced by a collective mourning for those affected by the conflict.
[readmore url="https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/world/210561"]
"We don't feel like celebrating while Gaza is suffering genocide and even here in the West Bank, we mourn young people killed by the Israelis and others detained every day," Mitri Raheb, pastor of a Lutheran church in Bethlehem, tells AFP.
"All we want for Christmas is a lasting ceasefire to put an end to this atrocity," he says.
"Bethlehem gave Jesus to the world," he asserted, "It's high time the world gave peace to Bethlehem and Gaza." In this season of hope, the resounding call is for a gift of enduring peace in a region yearning for solace.
Miroslava Salazar, with AFP
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