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Bethlehem Celebrates First Christmas in Two Years Amid Hope

12/26/2025

Center

Bethlehem Celebrates Christmas

Bethlehem celebrates its first Christmas in over two years, buoyed by a Gaza ceasefire.
The festivities include a parade and a towering Christmas tree, symbolizing hope and resilience.
Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa led Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity.
Pizzaballa expressed joy at the return of celebrations.
The mayor notes the celebrations reignite the spirit for the Palestinian people as checkpoints pose challenges.

Right

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El Paso residents celebrated Christmas in record-high heat, wearing casual attire and enjoying outdoor activities, while some miss a snowy tradition and others voice climate-change concerns.
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Bethlehem Celebrates Christmas

Bethlehem celebrates its first Christmas in over two years, buoyed by a Gaza ceasefire.
The festivities include a parade and a towering Christmas tree, symbolizing hope and resilience.
Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa led Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity.
Pizzaballa expressed joy at the return of celebrations.
The mayor notes the celebrations reignite the spirit for the Palestinian people as checkpoints pose challenges.

1 / 2