Name: Christmas hymns return to Bethlehem after ceasefire
Uploaded: 2025-12-19T17:20:20.165Z
Duration: 1 min 56 s
Description: Despite the fragile calm, tensions remain high across the West Bank, and uncertainty lingers. Still, for many in Bethlehem, the return of Christmas hymns and celebrations offers a rare moment of hope — a reminder that even after darkness, light can return.

Despite the fragile calm, tensions remain high across the West Bank, and uncertainty lingers. Still, for many in Bethlehem, the return of Christmas hymns and celebrations offers a rare moment of hope — a reminder that even after darkness, light can return.

Jerusalem

The U.S-brokered ceasefire deal in Gaza is holding, after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages.

Middle East Conflict

Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity is set to revive its traditional Christmas celebrations, with hymns such as the 'Night of Christmas' being sung in the grotto believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ. This return comes after a ceasefire brought an end to a period of conflict that had previously subdued festivities in the city.

Local residents and musicians describe the renewed celebrations as both powerful and emotional, with families gathering in Manger Square amid festive lights and performances. While tensions and uncertainty remain in the West Bank, the resumption of Christmas traditions offers a rare moment of hope for the community.

Christmas hymns return to Bethlehem after ceasefire

At midnight on Christmas Eve, the ancient walls of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity will once again echo with the traditional hymn, the Night of Christmas, sung in the grotto where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born. Composer and musician Joseph Hasboun says the setting and the moment make the music especially powerful. The songs that we sing now during this time are very opportune to what we are facing in Bethlehem with the hardships. It's the place where Jesus was born. And so to sing for our Lord's newborn baby, the Christmas songs in that specific place at that specific time, it's very special. It's very moving. This year, families are returning to the manger square, now alive with festive lights, Christmas markets and children's performances. For residents like Zoya, the change is striking. It's like the angels singing to the baby Jesus. And it's very holy, and the place and the atmosphere and the songs and the words also. For the past two years, Christmas in Bethlehem has been subdued with decorations, music, and festivities largely absent as conflict battered the region with the economy. Beautiful. After the war, there was a ceasefire. You can see the town come alive again. Everyone's happy. Everyone's coming out to celebrate. No matter religion, no matter stance, everyone is here. Despite the fragile calm, tensions remain high across the West Bank, and uncertainty lingers. Still for many in Bethlehem, the return of Christmas hymns and celebrations offers a rare moment of hope.

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Christmas hymns return to Bethlehem after ceasefire

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