In Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, a somber reminder takes the place of usual festive decorations. This year, a pile of stones and wooden figures surround a black and white Palestinian scarf-draped doll at the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church. The doll represents the children buried under rubble in Gaza, as Pastor Munther Issak explains, symbolizing the suffering of today's oppressed.
The Holy Land, a beacon of religious significance, typically sees masses of tourists flooding to Bethlehem at Christmas time. However, this year, the Gaza war casts an ongoing shadow over the usually lively Christmas celebrations in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Skip the Christmas trees this year
Absent is the grand Christmas tree that traditionally adorns the Church of the Nativity during advent. Instead, church leaders in Jerusalem decided to nix the decorations altogether due to the war. The Church of the Nativity's midnight mass with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa on Christmas night is, however, scheduled to take place.
"Bethlehem is sad this year" says sad Pastor Issak, who walks only a few minutes to the Church of the Nativity. "We all feel down because of what is happening in Gaza."
Gaza, a troubled enclave
The war's origin dates back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other terror groups targeted Israel near the Gaza Strip border with a deadly massacre, taking the lives of over 1200 people. Israel retaliated with air strikes, followed by a ground offensive, causing further devastation. The Islamist Hamas' health authority reports a staggering death toll of over 18,000 people since the conflict began.
Bethlehem's people live in fear of the conflict's expansion and face economic hardships due to severe travel restrictions. Tourism is a primary income source for the West Bank, and many communities cannot access the city because of Israeli army roadblocks.
Jerusalem's minority Christians
Christians form a tiny minority throughout the Holy Land. Approximately 1,000 Christians call the Gaza Strip home, out of a population of over 2.2 million. In Israel, the Christian population represents only 2% of its 10 million citizens, while in the West Bank, they make up a mere 1.5% of the approximately 3.2 million Palestinians.
Haitham Saba, a 29-year-old Christian father of four, usually spends Christmas preparing decorations, new clothes, and sweets for his family. However, this year, he sought shelter in the Greek Orthodox Church, a refuge amidst airstrikes targeted at his neighborhood. In October, the church was reportedly hit, resulting in the death of 18 people seeking refuge.
The star of quiet Christmas celebrations
This year, Christians celebrate the season of hope in intimate gatherings with little to no entertainment. Instead, the birth of Jesus takes center stage.
Monk Nicodemus Schnabel, of the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem, explains that everything religious is happening during the celebration. Concerts, although well-attended, feel subdued, with only intimate gatherings taking place.
The monks still plan to march to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, carrying a scroll engraved with the names of loved ones, both living and deceased.
Enrichment data
The conflict in Gaza significantly affects Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
- Festival cancellations: Christmas Eve celebrations are cancelled, resulting in a financial blow to the town's economy, leaving 70 hotels in Bethlehem closed, and thousands unemployed.
- Economic impact: Local businesses, such as gift shops and restaurants, suffer economic losses, with Afteem Restaurant being an example.
- Symbolic and emotional impact: Traditional Christmas decorations are replaced by a somber nativity scene in Manger Square, symbolizing the children killed in the fighting in Gaza.
- Spiritual leaders' response: Despite the challenging circumstances, spiritual leaders in Jerusalem proclaim the hope and renewal message of Christmas, advocating for peace, justice, and mercy.
- Cardinal Pizzaballa's efforts: Cardinal Pizzaballa is actively involved in maintaining a balanced position during the conflict, criticizing Hamas' actions and urging leaders to address the causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
References
[1] Stern.de, Bethlehem is sad this year: Gaza war casts shadow on Christmas, 12/10/2023, accessed on 12/15/2023. [2] Middle East Eye, Bethlehem's economy suffers as Christians cancel Christmas celebrations, 12/12/2023, accessed on 12/15/2023.
