Munther Isaac is pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.
He says it is impossible to celebrate when children in Gaza are brutally killed.
There will be no parades, Santas or Christmas music.
Usually, the streets of the traditional Christmas town are filled with people, sparkling lights, decorated Christmas trees.
Every year it comes over a million tourists and pilgrims to the city where Jesus was born.
The sound of bagpipes and drums fills the streets as Palestinians dressed in their own uniforms play as they march through the city.
The crib site in Bethlehem was empty when NRK was there in November.
Photo: Eirik Pessl-Kleiven / Eirik Pessl-Kleiven
Many queue for up to an hour to enter the church of the Nativity, down to the small grotto where Jesus’ birthplace is marked with a silver star.
But not this year.
The church leaders in Jerusalem have decided that this year’s celebration will consist of prayer, but no festivities.
– While the world celebrates Christmas, our children lie under ruins, they are displaced and their houses are destroyed, says Pastor Isaac to the Associated Press.
Over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, while 53,320 Palestinians have been injured, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The information has not been confirmed by independent sources, but the UN says it has been credible in previous conflicts,
A hundred years ago, Bethlehem was a city dominated by Christians,
but now they make up less than twenty percent.
Many have given up their lives behind the walls and under occupation. But businessman Jack Giackaman is holding his own.
– I hope everyone prays for peace in Bethlehem, the city where Christmas comes from, says Giackaman.
The Nativity Square in front of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on 24 December 2021. Now it is empty of people.
Photo: ABBAS MOMANI / AFP
For several generations, he and his Catholic family have made souvenirs from olive wood for pilgrims and tourists.
But now the streets are empty.
It is in October, November and December that the Christmas town of Bethlehem has its peak season, which is when the town receives 80 percent of its income.
– There is no joy here. We see poverty spreading. People can hardly afford to buy anything. They buy half a loaf of bread instead of a whole one, Giackaman tells NRK.
Jack Giackaman makes Jesus figurines out of olive wood every year for pilgrims and tourists.
Photo: Eirik Pessl-Kleiven
After Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, in which over 1,200 people were killed, the Palestinians in Bethlehem have also had to experience the consequences. Israel has practically blockaded the entire city.
The many thousands of Palestinians who work in Israel cannot go to work, their incomes are missing and thousands of families are suffering.
– There are not many Hamas people here, yet we are all punished with a new blockade, he says to NRK.
When NRK was in Bethlehem in November, it was completely quiet in the Church of the Nativity.
Bagpipes can usually be heard during the Christmas season in Bethlehem. Palestinian Christian scouts perform here in 2017.
Photo: HAZEM BADER / AFP
– Nobody buys Christmas decorations. and many do not even put up Christmas trees at home. People are depressed because of the war in Gaza, we don’t feel like celebrating holidays, says Giackaman.
Usually the Christmas season is busy for Giackaman, but since the tourists have been absent, he has plenty of time.
For the first time in years he has time to go to the famous midnight mass in the Church of the Nativity.
2023-12-23 21:26:21
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