The Grinch may be rubbing his hands in glee and laughing all the way to Whoville because he finally got his wish: Bethlehem has canceled Christmas.
As the Christmas season nears, the city would typically be bustling with visitors. However, this year, the atmosphere is starkly different, marked by a notable absence of holiday crowds. With streets devoid of festive lights, and homes without the clamor of joy and delight, the historical town’s Christian citizens have nothing to celebrate as Palestinians in Gaza suffer.
At this time of year, Bethlehem should be blazing with light and song, but on Sunday the mood was quiet and dark, the public celebrations, the usual parades and religious festivities are canceled. There are no carols and no great Christmas trees. The festive decorations that typically brighten the neighborhoods have been taken down. In the city center, the traditionally large Christmas tree in Manger Square is noticeably absent.
Instead of the traditional nativity scene that visitors see every year, The Holy Family Cave this year is a sculpture that depicts a harrowing scene: a bombed-out version of the traditional nativity cave.
In a show of solidarity with the Palestinian community, local authorities decided last month to significantly reduce Christmas celebrations. This decision comes amidst intense conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has been severely affected.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza, managed by Hamas, reports that the conflict has resulted in over 20,000 Palestinian fatalities and displaced almost 85% of Gaza’s population, due to Israel’s air and ground operations.
The conflict was ignited by an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, when terrorists raped, pillaged and murdered their way through several Israeli communities on the Gaza border. At least 1,200 civilians were killed and over 240 hostages were kidnapped.
The connection between the city and Gaza is deeply personal for many residents, who have family and friends in the region. This connection has brought a profound sense of despair to the city, a place of great significance to Christians as the believed birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Perhaps this year, the heart of Christmas lies not in the loudness of its celebration but in the quiet moments of reflection, in the warmth shared by those close to our hearts, even if they’re far in distance.
It’s not about cancelling the festivities or stealing the joy; it’s about finding meaning in the stillness, about appreciating the moments of calm in a world full of death and destruction.
So, here’s to a quieter Christmas, one that allows us to hear the whispers of hope and the soft sighs of peace. May this unusual and tragic time in a season of joy bring us closer to understanding the true value of this day, far beyond the gifts and the garlands.
In its subdued tones, we must find a deeper meaning, a brighter light in the darkness. This year, we may experience a suppressed Christmas in solidarity with those suffering in the Middle East – Muslims, Christians, and Jews – but we must not allow the Gaza Grinch to entirely steal Christmas from us all.