• Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem resumed after two years of cancellations due to conflict.
• Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa emphasized a message of hope during the festivities.
• A return of tourism to Bethlehem is crucial for the local economy after severe downturns.
• Crowds gathered in Manger Square, with a giant Christmas tree reinstated for the celebrations.
• Despite the holiday cheer, the ongoing impact of war and military actions in the region remains palpable.

The festive spirit returned to Bethlehem this Christmas as thousands gathered in Manger Square for the first time since 2022, marking a significant revival after the celebrations were muted in previous years due to the devastating Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The iconic Christmas tree, absent during the war, was lit up, symbolizing hope and resilience amidst adversity, according to Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.

The celebrations were inaugurated by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who arrived from Jerusalem and called for “a Christmas full of light.” He highlighted a message from Gaza's Christian community and emphasized that “we decided to be the light, and the light of Bethlehem is the light of the world,” reflecting a sense of unity and shared joy among attendees of diverse backgrounds, as reported by South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

Despite the festive atmosphere, the economic ramifications of the recent conflict are severe. Tourism, which constitutes about 80 percent of Bethlehem’s economy, has faced devastating setbacks, leading to skyrocketing unemployment from 14% to 65%, as stated by Bethlehem Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati. The mayor noted that nearly 4,000 residents had left the area seeking work due to the crisis, indicating a dire need for a resurgence in tourism to stabilize the local economy, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

The return of Christmas festivities this year served to uplift spirits, with many local residents celebrating a new hope for normalcy. Family-oriented events with scout parades and traditional music were among the highlights, despite challenges faced. Participants waited long hours at Israeli checkpoints to reach the celebrations, underscoring the continued tensions in the region, as pointed out by both South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

Business owners expressed cautious optimism as hotel occupancy spikes were reported during the holiday season – a stark contrast compared to previous years when tourism was virtually non-existent. Reports indicated that approximately 8,000 visitors, including 6,000 local Palestinians, traveled to Bethlehem for the Christmas celebrations, partly indicating a potential turning point for the local economy, discussed in detail by India Times and Al Jazeera.