Bethlehem, occupied West Bank – first time in two years Bethlehem Christmas tree Lighting up the night sky, bringing a touch of joy back to the birthplace of Jesus after the gloom of the season Israel’s Genocidal War on Gaza.

Palestinians watching the lights said the celebrations had a dual meaning: hope for the birth of Jesus and a desire to escape the Israeli siege of Bethlehem and cities in the occupied territories.

Meanwhile, residents say celebrations remain dimmed by grief over the mass casualties and destruction in Gaza and the economic paralysis under Bethlehem’s austerity policies. Israeli harassment.

This year’s celebrations were limited to religious ceremonies, attended by church leaders and local officials, who stood on a stage in Manger Square for a modest lamp-lighting ceremony.

Thousands of people gathered in the square, singing hymns and listening to carols from the choir – the only celebration allowed in an era that many described as a mixture of joy and mourning.

“A different kind of Christmas”

“This year’s celebrations will be different than before,” the Rev. Monser Isaac, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Nativity, told Al Jazeera.

“Bethlehem is beautifully decorated and the Christmas tree is lit, but every Palestinian’s heart is filled with deep sadness.

“Through these celebrations, Palestinians send a message of resilience – we are still here, determined to survive, to make Bethlehem the capital of Christmas and to continue telling its story. Palestinians love life.”

Bethlehem Mayor Maher N Canawati responded to the news, saying the city government had chosen to restore the city’s Christmas lights after a “long period of darkness and silence.”

“We want to rekindle hope for the people of Bethlehem and for all Palestinians, and to convey that hope to Gaza and the world,” he told Al Jazeera.

Kanawati stressed that Bethlehem was “open and safe” and said it was time for the world to stand firm in support of the Palestinians.

“When the Christmas tree is lit in Bethlehem, it … tells us that hope is a force. But, he added, “the suffering and destruction in Gaza remain in our hearts. Even in the midst of destruction, people remember that glimmer of light. “

The mayor also shared a message sent to Bethlehem Pope Leo XIVsaid the pope assured residents that he “keeps Bethlehem in his heart and prays for her and is working to end Palestinian suffering” and urged the people of Gaza “not to give in to despair.”

Kanawati called on pilgrims from around the world to visit Bethlehem and said tourism was a form of solidarity with Palestinians who are “tired of war but not tired of hope.”

Besieged by economic difficulties

Bethlehem’s Christmas spirit notwithstanding severe economic recession It has been linked to Israel’s blockade and the collapse of tourism, a major driver of the local economy.

Shopkeepers and artisans told Al Jazeera it was hope, not income, that kept the city standing. Adrian Habibeh is a young craftsman working in his family’s olive wood shop. Hand carved sold to religious believers and tourists, and said tourism had been “virtually frozen for more than two years.”

“This year’s Christmas celebrations will be different than in previous years,” he said. “But we hope it will be a fun year and tourism will come back. It’s vital to our economy.”

Residents from across the West Bank and Palestinian communities in Israel traveled to Bethlehem despite Checkpoints and road restrictions.

Yara Khalil, who came with her family from Ramallah, said she was both happy and disturbed. “Gaza is suffering the pain of war, and this pain is within us,” she said.

“But Bethlehem hasn’t had a celebration in two years, and despite that, it still looks beautiful.”

She added that she expected the trip to be difficult “but people’s excitement and determination to celebrate drove us to come”.

The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce organizes bus tours for Palestinians in the city within Israel to encourage local tourism.

Samir Hazboun, president of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, told Al Jazeera that the first people started arriving on Saturday.

“The second wave of local pilgrims and Palestinian tourists living in Israel is expected to arrive after December 20,” he said. “We expect about 3,000 tourists per day by the end of the year, which will increase hotel occupancy – currently only 20% for foreign tourists.”

Rula Qabti, who traveled from Nazareth, said she traveled long distances and passed through multiple checkpoints to attend the celebrations. “We hope for better days soon – to celebrate without fear or obstacles and to reach Bethlehem with ease,” she said.