Christmas in Bethlehem: A Different Experience in 2020
Unveiling the Dismal Reality: Church leader and Palestinian Christian, Rateb Rabie, shares his poignant insights on the absence of Christmas festivities in Bethlehem, painting a somber picture of the Holy Land this year
Editors Note: Rateb Y. Rabie, KCHS, is the founder and president of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF), a nonprofit organization that supports Christian communities in the Holy Land. Born in Jordan to Palestinian parents, he now resides in Maryland, US. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more on CNN Opinion.
This year, the iconic city of Bethlehem, situated in the occupied Palestinian territories, will experience a significant departure from its typically jubilant atmosphere.
Rateb Rabie
Courtesy of Rateb Rabie
To Palestinians, Christmas in Bethlehem is a symbol of connection to the world. It has always been a time of happiness and optimism, as well as a time to honor the birthplace of the Christmas story.
Imagine the lively streets decorated with colorful lights, the sound of choirs and marching boy scouts playing musical instruments filling the air, and those partaking in traditional Palestinian Arabic cuisine as they celebrate. Located in the heart of Bethlehem is the revered birthplace of Jesus, the prince of peace.
Manger Square will only have a faint glimmer of the usual lavish Christmas tree this year. It will be a stark symbol of the hardships faced by the Palestinian people, especially in the Gaza Strip, as Bethlehem stands silent and empty.
Last month, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem urged their congregations to prioritize the religious and spiritual aspects of Christmas over traditional celebrations. This decision to forgo festivities in the occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan, and Israel was a difficult one for the church leaders.
Bishop William Shomali, the General Vicar and Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, spoke about the somber mood surrounding the decision to celebrate Christmas. He questioned how they could celebrate when so many Palestinians had been killed, injured, and houses destroyed in Gaza. He also noted the sadness for the Israeli civilian losses and emphasized the need for compassion and solidarity instead of joyful celebrations.
Since October 7, more than 16,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, with an additional 42,000 suffering injuries. Shockingly, 70% of the casualties are children and women. As a result, thousands of homes have been destroyed, forcing 1.7 million people to endure extreme hardships, including a lack of electricity, fuel, fresh water, food, and medicine.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza, under the control of Hamas, has provided these distressing statistics that emphasize the toll on human lives resulting from the conflict that originated from the Israeli occupation 56 years ago.
The glittering Christmas tree in Manger Square, Bethlehem, pictured here in December 2022, will not be on display this year.
Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
The small Christian community in Gaza has been affected by the recent destruction, with 53 households destroyed and 19 Palestinian Christians out of the 1,000 remaining killed, as described by Sister Nabila Saleh of the Rosary Sisters. Christmas in Bethlehem holds national significance, fostering collaboration and unity between Christians and Muslims in Palestine and abroad.
Each year, thousands of pilgrims flock to Bethlehem, uniting in a symbol of peace, reconciliation, and unity to send a powerful message to the world.
Unfortunately, the Israeli occupation has long hindered religious tourism in the Holy Land, particularly in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. This has led to vacant hotels, closed souvenir shops, and high unemployment rates.
The war in Gaza has exacerbated the situation, leading to the cancellation of this year's Christmas festivities in Bethlehem, which relies heavily on tourism for 90% of its economy. During times of adversity, we find solace in the words of Psalms 34:18, which assure us that "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
It is important to recognize that Palestinian Arab Christians play a vital role as natural peacebuilders.
Rateb Rabie
This psalm speaks to the shared experience of all Christians, as we long for an end to suffering and pray for justice in times of adversity. Palestinian Arab Christians play a vital role as mediators for peace, drawing on their commonalities with Palestinian Muslims and their shared history of faith with Jews.
They are uniquely positioned to engage with diverse communities and act as catalysts for dialogue and understanding between Muslims and Jews, as well as with the support of Western allies. As the Christmas season approaches, the lack of festivities in Bethlehem serves as a poignant reminder of the pressing need for lasting peace. This Christmas provides a unique chance to bring attention to the challenges experienced by Palestinian Christians, Palestinian Muslims, and Israeli Jews, with the optimism that renewed focus and dialogue will lead to a path for reconciliation.
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During a recent phone call, Archbishop Atallah Hanna of Sebastia from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressed that "cancelling Christmas celebrations and the spiritual significance of Christmas serve as a message to the world about the urgent need for peace, justice, and humanitarian aid for the suffering people of Gaza." He added, "It's a plea for an immediate ceasefire. Please join me in praying for the innocent victims."
Amidst widespread divisions, Christmas in Bethlehem continues to symbolize hope, transcending borders, religions and conflicts. In these trying times, let us ponder the Christmas message and work towards a future where the streets of Bethlehem echo with joyful celebrations of peace and unity once more.
