Bethlehem hosts first public Christmas celebrations since 2023

December 24, 2025

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Thousands of people gathered in Bethlehem’s Manger Square on Christmas Eve, marking the return of public Christmas celebrations after two years of cancellations linked to the Israel-Hamas war. A towering Christmas tree stood once again in the square, replacing previous displays that symbolized war and suffering, including scenes referencing the destruction in Gaza.

Despite the festive mood, the war’s economic toll remains heavy in Bethlehem, where about 80% of residents depend on tourism, an industry that largely collapsed during the conflict.

Most of those celebrating were local residents, though some said they are beginning to notice slow signs of tourism returning after months of near-total absence.

Local families described the holiday as a rare moment of joy and hope, especially for children experiencing their first full Christmas celebration amid ongoing hardship. Traditional scout parades and marching bands returned to the streets, though many participants faced long delays at Israeli checkpoints that have made travel increasingly difficult.

Overall, the celebrations reflected cautious optimism, as Bethlehem residents sought comfort, faith, and a sense of normal life while conflict, poverty, and uncertainty persist across the West Bank.

Overlooking Manger Square is the Church of the Nativity, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was born, making it the spiritual heart of Bethlehem and the focal point of its Christmas celebrations.

The site has been venerated for nearly two millennia, with the first church constructed in the 4th century under Roman Emperor Constantine after Christianity became legal in the empire. The current structure largely dates to the 6th century, when Byzantine Emperor Justinian rebuilt the church after earlier destruction, creating a basilica that still stands today.

Beneath the main altar lies the Grotto of the Nativity, where a silver star marks the spot traditionally believed to be Jesus’ birthplace, drawing pilgrims whose presence has long sustained Bethlehem’s religious and tourism life, and serving as a visual symbol of hope against hardship.