Bethlehem Christmas Celebrations Return

After two years of subdued celebrations due to the Israel-Hamas war, Christmas festivities have returned to Palestine — Bethlehem, the city where Christians believe Jesus was born. Thousands flocked to Manger Square for Christmas Eve, witnessing the return of the giant Christmas tree that had been absent during the conflict. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Catholic leader in the Holy Land, kicked off the celebrations, emphasizing a need for light and hope. While the return of festivities brings a much-needed boost of holiday spirit, the economic impact of the war remains acute in Palestine — Bethlehem, with unemployment soaring from 14% to 65%, as reported by Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati. The city's tourism-dependent businesses are slowly seeing signs of recovery, with domestic tourism returning, though international visitors are still scarce. Tensions remain high in the West Bank, with ongoing Israeli military raids and settler attacks, as documented by the International — United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to attend Midnight Mass, marking a symbolic return to normalcy. Pope Leo XVI also presided over his first Midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, reflecting on the Christmas story's message of hope. The event highlights the resilience of communities in the Holy Land and other Middle Eastern regions like Syria and Israel — Nazareth, which are also seeing a return to Christmas traditions despite past conflicts.