The ongoing war in the Gaza Strip for the third month in a row casts a shadow over the atmosphere of Christmas celebrations in the city of Bethlehem. It was decided not to light the Christmas tree in the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity, as is usual, and to replace that with a model of the extent of the destruction that befell the Strip.

The model, created by the Palestinian artist, Tariq Selaa, represents the nativity scene in the middle of what appears to be a destroyed house. He called it “Nativity under the rubble” in a symbolic reference to the devastation that the Gaza Strip is witnessing as a result of the continuous Israeli bombing, in addition to statues of a Palestinian family during the Nakba.

Candles were lit and prayers were held in the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity, in the presence of a number of clergy, officials, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Palestinian Authority, and citizens.

Hanna Hanania, Mayor of Bethlehem, said during the opening ceremony of the artwork, “Here Gaza is present. The cave is not ordinary, as it was destroyed by bombing. Between its walls, it contains the Holy Family through its shape, which resembles the map of Gaza, and the children who rose as martyrs, like angels looking down from heaven.”

He added, "The light in the cave here is very dim because of the bombing and death, and in the middle the Virgin Mary embraces the child Jesus, declaring the new life for all of humanity."

He continued, saying, "Everything is exceptional this year, as Christmas comes under very difficult circumstances, in which thousands have been killed and wounded, and citizens have been displaced in Gaza."

He added, "Bethlehem, for the first time, the Christmas tree will not be placed, the streets of Bethlehem will not be lit, and the holiday will be limited to religious rituals only. It is a moral and national commitment. The shedding of blood eliminates any possibility of joy."

Residents of the city of Bethlehem used to begin Christmas celebrations by lighting a tree that was placed in the church square, eight meters high, and decorated with lights.

Rula Maayah, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, said, “Merry Christmas is upon us this year as we live in the most difficult and darkest circumstances and times as a result of what our people are suffering in the besieged Gaza Strip and in all the cities, villages and camps of the West Bank and Holy Jerusalem as a result of the continuing aggression against our people.”

She added in her speech at the lighting ceremony of the cave, "The world is celebrating Christmas, and the city of Christmas is sad, depressing, and in pain. Its children, youth, women, and men are filled with fear, sadness, and pain from what is happening, and they do not know where things will go and how this massacre and tragedy will end."

The Minister reviewed the difficult situation in the city of Bethlehem, which is known as the city of the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

She said, "The city of the cradle, like the rest of the Palestinian cities, is completely besieged, closed and sad. No one can reach it or leave it. Its people and its people are without work and without hope as a result of the disruption and cessation of the tourist movement coming to it, which constitutes the backbone of its economy."

She added, "The city of the cradle, which annually received millions of tourists and pilgrims from all over the world, staying in its hotels, wandering in its alleys and roads, and shopping in its markets and stores, is today living in a state of complete recession."

Christian denominations that follow the Western calendar begin their Christmas celebrations by holding the midnight mass prayer in the Bethlehem Church.