Status: 12/24/2022 10:47 p.m
After the corona restrictions were still in place for the past two years, tens of thousands of Christians from all over the world are now celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem again. Patriarch Pizzaballa warned of an increase in violence in the Middle East.
Almost three years after the outbreak of the corona pandemic, thousands of pilgrims from all over the world celebrated Christmas in Bethlehem for the first time. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank city where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, Christians prayed at the Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve while police cordoned off Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity and tourists scanned for selfies.
A festive mood prevailed in Bethlehem, inhabited by both Christians and Muslims. A huge Christmas tree and colorful balloons decorated the streets, Boy Scout groups marched through the streets playing the bagpipes under the eyes of numerous spectators.
Christmas procession reaches Bethlehem
The traditional Christmas procession arrived in Bethlehem in the afternoon. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, drove in a convoy of cars from the Old City of Jerusalem to the city, which is almost ten kilometers away, via the Israeli checkpoint. The patriarch covered the last part of the way to the Manger Square on foot.
Numerous believers greeted the patriarch, who arrived at Manger Square more than an hour late. There he was received by Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Hanania Salman and other politicians and church representatives. Together they went to celebrate Vespers in the Catholic Church of St. Catherine next to the Basilica of the Nativity, which was built under Emperor Constantine over the grotto traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Christ.
Hundreds of people gathered at Krippenplatz in the early afternoon. A huge Christmas tree with a star at the top adorned the square in front of the Church of the Nativity.
Image: AFP
Concern about politics in Israel
At midnight, Pizzaballa celebrated the central Christmas mass in St. Catherine’s Church next to the Basilica of the Nativity. In his sermon he lamented the increase in violence in the Holy Land. “We see with our eyes that violence seems to have become our main language, our main way of communication,” said the Italian Franciscan. Violence is increasing, especially in political language, but also in the media, social relationships, schools and families.
Pizzaballa reiterated his concern about current policies in Israel, which risk “upsetting the already fragile balance between the diverse religious and ethnic communities that make up our society.” In addition, 2022 has seen a “terrific rise in violence in Palestinian streets, with a death toll that has set us back decades,” the Patriarch said. This is a sign of growing political tensions and unrest, particularly among young people, over an increasingly distant resolution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
At the same time, the Palestinian question no longer seems to be the focus of the world. “This is also a form of violence that offends the conscience of millions of Palestinians,” who are increasingly being left alone, Pizzaballa said. The head of the Latin Catholics in the Holy Land lamented a loss of trust that made violence the only language.
“Peace Doesn’t Come By Itself”
Celebrating Christmas as believers in Christ also means creating, nurturing and being an opportunity for grace, compassion and forgiveness, Pizzaballa said. “The peace we all desire does not come by itself. It waits for men and women who know how to translate God’s word into concrete action.” Faith in God must maintain trust in humanity and lead to gestures of free and genuine love.
Hotels well filled again
In addition to Christians from all parts of the Palestinian Territories and Israel, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is also expected to attend the celebration. In a traditional rite, Pizzaballa will place a figure of the Child Jesus on the spot where the Nativity is venerated during Christmas mass.
In the past two years, strict corona regulations and entry bans have kept foreign guests away from Bethlehem. This year the visitors are back and the hotels are full. Business people reported brisk shopping during the Advent season. “This year we’re celebrating Christmas very differently than last year,” said Palestinian Minister of Tourism Rula Maajah. “We celebrate Christmas with pilgrims who come from all over the world.” The Israeli Ministry of Tourism has prepared for around 120,000 pilgrims from all over the world.