Bethlehem celebrated its first full Christmas festivities since the outbreak of the Gaza war, with scouts marching and crowds gathering in Manger Square outside the historic Church of the Nativity. The city had marked previous Christmases with a somber tone due to the conflict, but this year, a fragile truce brought renewed joy and hope to residents and visitors. The celebrations included music, parades, and a brightly decorated Christmas tree, as local leaders and visitors expressed their longing for peace and resilience in the face of hardship. Religious leaders, including Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch, reflected on the ongoing challenges in the region, but emphasized the enduring spirit of the people and the importance of spreading a message of hope to the world.