For the first time in more than two years, the streets of Bethlehem once again glowed with the light of a public Christmas tree as residents gathered Saturday evening in Manger Square for a symbolic return to tradition. The modest but emotional ceremony marked the city’s first official tree lighting since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
The towering 45-foot evergreen, adorned with lights and ornaments, was illuminated beside the historic Church of the Nativity, drawing hundreds of local residents and a small group of international visitors. While past celebrations in the city have been known for their festive crowds and global tourism, this year’s gathering carried a quieter, more reflective tone.
Bethlehem’s mayor, Maher Canawati, described the event as a declaration of resilience and a plea for peace. Speaking to attendees, she said the lighting of the tree was meant to affirm the city’s determination to hold on to life, faith, and hope despite the ongoing hardships facing the region.
In recent years, public Christmas festivities across the West Bank were either canceled or significantly reduced, both due to security concerns and out of solidarity with civilians affected by the war in Gaza. The prolonged absence of visitors has taken a severe toll on Bethlehem’s economy, which relies heavily on religious tourism and pilgrimage. Local hoteliers report that occupancy rates, once near capacity every December, have remained below 20 percent for two consecutive years.
Although the tree lighting went ahead this year, many families said they intend to observe Christmas privately and with restraint. Some residents have chosen to forgo celebrations altogether, saying the regional suffering makes large public festivities feel inappropriate. Church officials in the city have echoed this sentiment, encouraging worshippers to focus on the spiritual meaning of the season rather than public spectacle.
The timing of the ceremony coincided with the beginning of Advent and came as a fragile ceasefire continues to hold in Gaza, offering a rare pause in hostilities. For local shopkeepers and vendors, the evening brought a cautious sense of optimism. A handful reopened their stalls near the square in hopes that the return of public celebration might slowly encourage visitors to return.
Despite the calm atmosphere of the evening, the mood in Bethlehem remains subdued. Streets that once overflowed with pilgrims now reflect the uncertainty of a city still waiting for recovery. Yet for many gathered beneath the glowing tree on Saturday night, the simple act of lighting it carried a powerful meaning: a reminder that tradition, faith, and hope have not been extinguished, even in the shadow of prolonged conflict.
