Despite the ever-present threat of violence simmering just below the surface in a land brimming with cultural and religious significance, the mood was nevertheless upbeat in the town of Jesus Christ’s birth.
Vendors at the annual Christmas Market in Manger Square, held across the street from the Church of the Nativity, faced a steady stream of shoppers, mostly Christians, who spent a long time mingling with family and friends in the winter sun. Nearly two dozen booths sold a wide assortment of gifts, from hand-embroidered purses to Christmas decorations.
Many of the shoppers took selfies or family photos in front of the huge Christmas tree that municipal workers were stringing with thousands of twinkling lights. Others helped their children with arts-and-crafts projects at a long table in the lobby of the nearby Palestinian Peace Center.
While the violence has put a damper on their community’s Christmas spirit, many local Christians said toning down festivities isn’t the answer.
Despite the good cheer, Palestinian Christians, who comprise less than 2 per cent of the Holy Land’s residents, told the Register that, as in previous years, Christmas in the Holy Land will be bittersweet.
Several said the latest wave of violence sweeping the Holy Land, as well as the Palestinian Authority’s decision — reportedly at the urging of Christians in Ramallah — to keep public Christmas celebrations low-key this year, out of solidarity with the Palestinians who have lost their lives in the conflict, is disheartening.
Since mid-September, more than 20 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian terror attacks, and dozens of Palestinians have been killed, the vast majority of them during clashes with Israeli forces or while carrying out attacks, according to the Israeli government.
While the violence has put a damper on their community’s holiday spirit, many local Christians said toning down Christmas festivities isn’t the answer.
“Our situation is difficult, but it has been like this for more than 60 years,” said Christina Canavati, 22, referring to the establishment of the state of Israel 67 years ago. “It’s sad, but we need to live our lives as best we can, and that means celebrating Christmas the way we celebrate it every year.”
