NBC News - Bethlehem marks second Christmas under the shadow of war in Gaza
The video highlights Christmas celebrations around the world, including Pope Francis opening the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica and the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral for its first Christmas Mass since the fire. In Bethlehem, the usual festive atmosphere is subdued due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The report includes a personal story of Nuha Tarazi, a Christian woman from Gaza living in Bethlehem, who struggles to celebrate Christmas while her family remains in Gaza amidst the conflict. Despite the challenges, some foreign visitors find joy in visiting Bethlehem, fulfilling lifelong dreams of seeing the birthplace of Jesus.
Key Points:
- Pope Francis inaugurated the Vatican's 2025 Jubilee Year, attracting millions of visitors.
- Notre Dame Cathedral held its first Christmas Mass since the 2019 fire.
- Bethlehem's Christmas celebrations are muted due to the Gaza conflict, lacking usual festivities.
- Nuha Tarazi, a Christian from Gaza, shares her emotional struggle during the holiday season.
- Foreign visitors, despite the conflict, find joy in visiting Bethlehem, fulfilling personal dreams.
Details:
1. 🎄 Global Christmas Celebrations Begin
- Christmas celebrations have started globally, even though it is still hours away in the United States.
- In Australia, Christmas is celebrated with beach gatherings and barbecues, reflecting the summer season.
- In Germany, traditional Christmas markets are bustling with people enjoying mulled wine and festive treats.
- In the Philippines, the 'Simbang Gabi' tradition involves attending mass for nine nights leading up to Christmas.
- In Mexico, 'Las Posadas' reenacts Mary and Joseph's search for shelter, celebrated with processions and parties.
2. 🕊️ Vatican's Jubilee Year Inauguration
- Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve, marking the inauguration of the Vatican's 2025 Jubilee Year.
- The Jubilee Year is a significant event in the Catholic Church, traditionally held every 25 years, offering a time of forgiveness and reconciliation.
- The opening of the Holy Door symbolizes the passage to salvation and is a key ritual in the Jubilee celebrations.
- The 2025 Jubilee Year is expected to draw millions of pilgrims to Rome, highlighting its importance in the Catholic faith.
3. 🔥 Notre Dame's First Christmas Mass Post-Fire
- Notre Dame Cathedral is reopening for its first Christmas Mass five years after a devastating fire, marking a significant milestone in its restoration journey.
- The event is part of a Jubilee Year expected to attract tens of millions of visitors, showcasing the cathedral's cultural and historical importance.
- The fire had severely damaged the interior, turning centuries of history into ashes, and the restoration process involved meticulous efforts to preserve its architectural integrity.
- Restoration efforts included reinforcing the structure, cleaning and restoring artworks, and ensuring safety standards, which were crucial for reopening.
- The reopening symbolizes resilience and the dedication to preserving cultural heritage, drawing global attention and support.
4. 🌍 Bethlehem's Christmas Amidst Conflict
- Bethlehem's usual festive atmosphere is subdued due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, significantly affecting local traditions and tourism.
- The city, known for the birth of Jesus, lacks its typical festive lights, big tree, and crowds of foreign tourists, impacting local businesses reliant on holiday tourism.
- This marks the second consecutive year that these elements are missing from the city center, highlighting a shift in how Christmas is celebrated amidst ongoing regional tensions.
- Local businesses and the tourism sector face economic challenges due to the absence of international visitors, which traditionally boost the city's economy during the festive season.
5. 💔 Personal Stories and Hope from Gaza
- Nuha Tarazi, a 79-year-old Christian originally from Gaza, has been living in Bethlehem for over 40 years but still has family in Gaza, including siblings.
- Her family, along with hundreds of Gaza's Christian community members, have been seeking shelter in a church in the ruins of Gaza City for more than a year.
- Nuha expressed the difficulty of celebrating holidays in Bethlehem while knowing her family is suffering in Gaza.
- Despite the hardships, Nuha maintains hope, believing that God will not leave them alone.
- Communication challenges are evident as Nuha struggled to connect with her siblings via landline, but eventually, her siblings were reached by a crew in Gaza.
- Nuha's sister, amidst ongoing Israeli bombing, expressed hope that Nuha could find some joy in Christmas and reassured her not to worry about them.
6. 🎅 Christmas in Bethlehem: A Changed Landscape
- Bethlehem, traditionally known as the 'Capital of Christmas,' is experiencing a significant change in its festive landscape due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
- This year, there is no Christmas tree in the main square, and official festivities are largely absent, reflecting the somber mood of the city.
- A scout parade took place without instruments or drums, highlighting the subdued celebrations.
- The city is grappling with how to celebrate Christmas amidst ongoing suffering, a challenge faced by both faith leaders and ordinary citizens.
- Tourism has significantly declined, with few tourists visiting due to the conflict, impacting local businesses that rely on holiday visitors.
- Despite the challenges, some foreign visitors, particularly domestic workers from Southeast Asia living in Israel, have crossed into Bethlehem, finding joy in visiting the Church of the Nativity, a site of religious significance.