Christmas in Bethlehem will be different this year. The usual festive celebrations have been cancelled and there will be no public celebrations or festive lights. Instead, it will be a time of solemn prayer to mourn the ongoing war in Gaza as well as the crisis in the West Bank which is suffering from increased settler attacks and an economic crisis caused by the strict lockdown imposed after the attacks of October 7th.

While Christmas looks different this year, local Christians continue to hold on to the hope of the Christmas story. This hope is visualized in the manger scene that has been set up in the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church. The manger is made of rubble and depicts the scenes we have seen from Gaza. In the middle of it, under the rubble, lies the baby Jesus all alone. The holy family, wise men and shepherds are positioned around the rocks desperately searching for him. The scene is a poignant and moving reminder of the hope of Christmas. It visualizes the message of Emmanuel, God with us, reminding us that Jesus is with those who suffer. It is a needed message of comfort and hope in a time of war and conflict.

As we approach Christmas, we asked some friends in Bethlehem how Christmas feels for them this year and what hope they find in the Christmas story.

“The absence of festivities is overshadowed by the haunting presence of fear and trauma”

As a Bethlehemite, experiencing a Christmas devoid of its usual festive spirit is an unusual and poignant reality. In a time when our city typically radiates with lights, celebrations, and an influx of visitors, this year's suppressed atmosphere speaks to the somber hardships faced by Palestinians, parallel to the challenges endured by Jesus and the Holy Family coming to Bethlehem two thousand years ago asking for refuge.

This Christmas, the absence of festivities is overshadowed by the haunting presence of fear and trauma stemming from the brutal realities of war in Gaza, the West Bank, and our own Bethlehem. The festive atmosphere, usually filled with joy, has given way to a collective sense of fearfulness, especially after military night raids, as residents, like those across the West Bank, cautiously navigate the perils of Israeli Military and settler violence.

In the quietude of the season, Bethlehemites find solace in prayer as we reflect on the birth of the Prince of Peace, a festive time made poignant by our yearning for a peace that remains elusive. Our children, despite singing Christmas carols about peace, do so without the secure backdrop that such lyrics ideally represent. O Little Town of Bethlehem has no magical allure this year, transformed into a realm marred by the harsh realities of war, military invasions, incarceration, and pervasive fear.

Compounding our challenges is the economic strain felt throughout Bethlehem. Traditionally, this time of year would see an influx of tourists, not only bringing enchantment to the city but also crucial business. Bethlehem's economy heavily relies on tourism, and the absence of visitors leaves our community grappling with economic desperation.

This economic blow comes at a time when many Bethlehemites were still recovering from the aftermath of COVID-19, making the impact doubly burdensome. The economic upheaval is prompting some Christian families, alongside their Muslim counterparts, to contemplate leaving, unable to endure the brutality of war and sustain their businesses in these challenging times.

The exodus of Christian families from the birthplace of Jesus is undeniably tragic. The risk of Bethlehem turning into a mere museum of Christian sites is palpable, and the community earnestly wishes for the city to remain vibrant, with a thriving Christian presence that continues to tell the story of Jesus, a narrative that speaks about that heritage and existence.

In the face of these challenges, Bethlehemites remain resilient, hoping for a future where the city can once again embrace the festive spirit of Christmas, unmarred by the shadows of conflict and economic hardship.

Witnessing Bethlehem in this state during the Christmas season is challenging. Nevertheless, it serves as a poignant reminder for all of us. It prompts us to reflect that if Jesus was to be born today, it might be under the rubble. Yet, just as in the past, he would transform that rubble, through us, into a vibrant reality through his enduring message of peace and justice.

Rami Khader - Executive Director, Anar

“We are waiting for the coming of Jesus, hoping he will bring him peace and justice to this land.”

It’s been very sad to not celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem, the city of peace, and where Jesus was born this year. Usually, we start the month of December with Christmas decorations, tree lighting in front of the Nativity Church, and lots of Christmas markets and activities. Christmas in Palestine this year is unusual, especially in Gaza.

We feel sad, hopeless, guilty and frustrated but still we have hope. Baby Jesus would be born under the rubble. He is with every child and even infants in incubators who are killed lately in Gaza. He is with us in the West Bank too.

Our Christmas message this year coinciding with the Human Rights Day in this month, is to call for justice for Palestinians and to let them live in peace without violence. We deserve to have rights, dignity, and freedom as any human being in this world. We are waiting for the coming of Jesus, hoping he will bring him peace and justice to this land. Christmas is Bethlehem!  

Hiba Allati, Project Manager at Musalaha

Please Join us in Prayer

This Christmas we invite you to pray for all those suffering from the events in Israel and Palestine. In the midst of it all, our partners embody the hope of Christmas by reflecting the love and presence of God to those who suffer.