Around the globe, the joyous tunes of Christmas carols echo, celebrating the birthplace of Jesus over 2,000 years ago. Amidst this festive season, the Christmas spirit is notably absent this year in the Holy Land, where the Gaza Strip lies in ruins, and the West Bank grapples with the aftermath of conflict and Israeli bombardment.

In Gaza, home to around 1,000 Palestinian Christians, many have lost their homes or lives alongside their Muslim neighbours. The toll of this devastation has led senior church authorities to scale down the annual celebrations marking the birth of Christ. In early December, Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem urged restraint in "unnecessarily festive" Christmas activities, emphasizing prayers for peace due to the thousands killed.

This call resonated across various denominations, with Catholic churches in Galilee and the Council of Local Evangelical Churches in the Holy Land endorsing a more subdued approach. Municipal authorities in the West Bank cancelled public festivities, reflecting the sombre reality on the ground.

Father Ibrahim Faltas, a senior Franciscan friar, lamented that this Christmas, shadowed by the Gaza conflict, will lack the usual fanfare and lights, even in Bethlehem, the town where Christ was born. The iconic Nativity Square, typically adorned with a towering Christmas tree, will remain unadorned for the first time since modern celebrations began.

Amidst these challenging circumstances, it's crucial to avoid oversimplifying the complex situation as merely a conflict between a Jewish-led Israeli government and the Islamist Hamas group. The region's intricate history, marked by the coexistence of various religions, including Christianity, adds layers of complexity.

Israel is home to around 185,000 Christians, with a significant percentage identifying as Palestinian Arabs. In the Palestinian territories, which included 50,000 Christians in 2009, the number has dwindled to just over 1,000 by last year. The ongoing conflict raises concerns about the survival of Gaza's ancient Christian community.

Tragedies, such as the Israeli missile striking the 12th-century Saint Porphyrius church in Gaza, where both Christians and Muslims sought shelter, underscore the devastating impact on civilians. Pope Francis has expressed grave concern about the situation, highlighting the targeting of unarmed civilians, including those within the Holy Family parish complex.

Bethlehem, nestled in the West Bank, is home to approximately 50,000 Palestinian Christians and holds immense significance in Christian history. However, since 1967, the West Bank has faced Israeli occupation and territorial disputes, resulting in clashes, violence, and the construction of divisive walls. Bethlehem, too, has felt the impact, with a wall erected by Israel, symbolizing both security and, in the eyes of many Palestinians, racial segregation.

The recent Gaza conflict, triggered by escalating tensions, has led to widespread suffering, with thousands of Palestinians losing their lives. In the West Bank, Jewish settlers exacerbate violence and land grabs, met with limited intervention from the Israeli Defense Force. As the region grapples with the loss of over 20,000 lives, including many children, the appetite for Christmas celebrations is understandably dampened.

In Bethlehem, where December typically witnesses vibrant pre-Christmas Advent season inaugurations, the streets are empty and sombre this year. Traditional pilgrims and tourists, vital for the local economy, are notably absent. Church leaders plan to conduct services with a humanitarian focus, emphasizing Christian love and support for the less fortunate.

Pastor Munther Isaac of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem symbolizes solidarity by building a nativity scene amid the war zone. Replacing the traditional crib with rubble, he conveys a poignant message of Jesus' solidarity with the oppressed, especially those suffering in Gaza.

Despite the challenges, Christmas in Bethlehem will endure, albeit in a more solemn and reflective manner. The focus shifts from grand celebrations to prayers and religious rituals, echoing the shared pain and grief experienced by Palestinians. As the world grapples with ongoing conflicts, the people of Bethlehem unite in their plea for a ceasefire and a respite from the turmoil that has overshadowed this holy season.