People attend a Christmas event, which was restricted for the past two years due to Israeli attacks on Gaza, at the Church of the Nativity following the ceasefire agreement in Bethlehem, West Bank. Photo / Getty Images
People attend a Christmas event, which was restricted for the past two years due to Israeli attacks on Gaza, at the Church of the Nativity following the ceasefire agreement in Bethlehem, West Bank. Photo / Getty Images
Scouts marched under a clear blue sky in Bethlehem as the Palestinian city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza to celebrate its first festive Christmas in more than two years.
Throughout the Gaza war that began with Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023, a sombretone had marked Christmases in the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Today, celebrations were in full swing again in the occupied West Bank city, as a fragile truce held in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are facing the winter in makeshift tents.
In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV was due to deliver his first Christmas Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica, after he called for “24 hours of peace in the whole world”.
The American pontiff was elected by fellow cardinals in May following the death of Pope Francis.
Across the world, families began gathering to mark Christmas Eve as Christmas Day started in the Southern Hemisphere.
Millions of children everywhere waited eagerly for their gifts to be delivered.
In Bethlehem, the sound of drums and bagpipes playing renditions of popular Christmas carols filled the air, as Christians young and old made their way to the city’s central Manger Square.
“Today is full of joy because we haven’t been able to celebrate because of the war,” said Milagros Anstas, 17, dressed in the yellow and blue uniform of Bethlehem’s Salesian scout group.
Desire of life
Hundreds of people took part in the parade down Bethlehem’s narrow Star Street, while a dense crowd massed in the square.
A towering Christmas tree covered with red and gold baubles sparkled next to the Church of the Nativity.
The basilica dates back to the fourth century and was built on top of a grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born more than 2000 years ago.
Bethlehem residents hope the return of Christmas festivities will breathe life back into the city.
“We need to get the message to the whole world and this is the only way,” said George Hanna, from the neighbouring town of Beit Jala.
“What is Christmas without celebrating?”
Bethlehem’s municipality toned down Christmas festivities while war raged in Gaza, but a United States-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has halted full-scale fighting there since October.
“This year we want a Christmas full of light because this is what we need after two years of darkness,” said Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, before leading Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity.
Bethlehem residents hope the festivities will revive the city after years of toned-down celebrations. Photo / Getty Images
The senior cleric visited war-battered Gaza over the weekend, leading a Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City on Sunday local time.
He told the crowd in Manger Square that he had witnessed “a disaster” in the Palestinian territory, but also a spirit of resilience.
“The situation is really catastrophic. But I saw there also the desire of life, as here,” he said.
“In the midst of nothing, they have been able to celebrate.”
Carmelina Piedimonte, who travelled to Bethlehem from Italy as part of a Catholic group, said witnessing the Christmas celebrations in the occupied West Bank had filled her with hope.
“If in your heart you have love, then it’s possible to have a world without war,” she said, as bells rang out behind her.
New future
In Syria, Christmas lights illuminated the capital Damascus’ Old City despite the Christian community’s fears of violence after a deadly shooting and suicide bombing attack in June.
Around the district, home to a vibrant community and several important churches, red baubles hung from trees, shopkeepers put up Christmas decorations and street vendors peddled warm chestnuts.
“Syria deserves joy and for us to be happy, and to hope for a new future,” said student Loris Aasaf, 20, as she soaked up the atmosphere with her friends.
The largest Christmas tree in the region is illuminated at the Saydnaya Our Lady Monastery. Photo / Getty Images
Globally, families with the means to do so began gathering to mark Christmas Eve together, as children counted down the hours for the delivery of their presents.
The Flightradar24 tracking site, among others, revived its annual tradition of posting a live Santa tracker, showing Father Christmas’ sleigh soaring through the skies from the North Pole to deliver presents.
In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had a more sombre message after the recent attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
“Wherever you are across our wonderful country, Christmas will feel different this year,” he said.
