Why Bethlehem is celebrating Christmas again

为什么伯利恒又要庆祝圣诞节了?

Today in Focus

2025-12-23

25 分钟
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Pastor Munther Isaac talks about his hometown of Bethlehem – the scene of the nativity – celebrating Christmas for the first time in three years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
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  • This is The Guardian.

  • Today, Christmas in Bethlehem.

  • Bethlehem is full of lights.

  • There's a big, big Christmas tree in the manger square outside of the Nativity Church.

  • Christmas markets,

  • Christmas concerts and there's usually in Palestine everything begins with lighting the Christmas tree in Bethlehem.

  • There's nowhere in the world that says Christmas more than Bethlehem.

  • After all,

  • it's where Jesus was born in the stall of a stable when there was no room for his mum and dad at the inn.

  • I always say there is nothing like Christmas in Bethlehem and I'm not exaggerating.

  • you know, other countries might boast a bigger tree or nicer decorations.

  • We don't care.

  • This is Bethlehem.

  • This is the real thing.

  • This is Munda Isak,

  • a Christian pastor and director of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice.

  • Christmas in Bethlehem and actually in all Palestinian cities is a big festival.

  • Everyone celebrates Christmas in Palestine.

  • Of course, the prayers are for Christians,

  • but the public events, the public celebrations are attended by everyone.