Christmas cheer returns to Holy Land after lean pandemic years

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — The biblical town of Bethlehem marked a merry Christmas Eve on Saturday, with thousands of visitors descending upon the traditional birthplace of Jesus, as it rebounds from the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, visitors are back, hotels are full, and shopkeepers have reported a brisk business in the runup to the holiday. Although the numbers have not reached pre-pandemic levels, the return of tourists has palpably raised spirits in Bethlehem.

“We are celebrating Christmas this year in a very different way than last year,” Palestinian Authority Tourism Minister Rula Maayah said. “We’re celebrating Christmas with pilgrims coming from all over the world.”

Throughout the day, hundreds of people strolled through Manger Square for Christmas Eve celebrations. Marching bands pounding on drums and playing bagpipes paraded through the area, and foreign tourists meandered about and snapped selfies with the town’s large Christmas tree behind them.

Cool gray weather, along with an occasional rain shower, did little to dampen spirits, though many people headed indoors to shops and restaurants to warm up. By nightfall, the crowds had thinned.

Daisy Lucas, a 38-year-old Filipina who works in Israel, said it was a dream come true to mark the holiday in such an important place. “As a Christian walking in the places in the Bible, it’s so overwhelming,” she said. “This is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. As a Christian, that’s one achievement that’s on my bucket list.”

Palestinians march during a Christmas parade outside the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022. (Wisam Hashlamoun/ Flash90)

Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land, arrived from Jerusalem through a checkpoint in Israel’s West Bank separation barrier.

“We are living in very difficult challenges,” he said, noting the war in Ukraine and a recent wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence. “But the message of Christmas is a message of peace.”

“It’s possible to change things,” he added. “We will be very clear in what we have to do and what we have to say in order to preserve the importance of unity and reconciliation among all.”

Pizzaballa walked through Manger Square, waving to well-wishers before heading to the Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born. Later, he was to celebrate Midnight Mass.

Hundreds of millions of Christians were ushering in the holiday, wrapping up a tumultuous year characterized by conflict and violence in many parts of the world.

Palestinians march during a Christmas parade outside the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, on the eve of the Christmas holiday, December 24, 2022. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)

Girls scouts march during Christmas parade in Manger Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, in the town of Bethlehem, December 24, 2022. (AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo)

Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa greets worshippers next to the security barrier between the West Bank city of Bethlehem and Jerusalem on his way to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem during Christmas, December 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

People visits the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, December 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Tourists queue to enter the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, in the town of Bethlehem, December 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Palestinian scouts march during a Christmas parade towards to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, in the town of Bethlehem, December 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Girls scouts march during Christmas parade towards the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, December 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Palestinian scouts march during Christmas parade towards to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, in the town of Bethlehem, December 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

Tourists and pilgrims celebrate Christmas eve at the Church of the Nativity in the biblical West Bank city of Bethlehem on December 24, 2022. (HAZEM BADER / AFP)

A woman lights candles inside the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, December 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)