Do You Wonder How Christmas is Celebrated in the Holy Land?

posted on: Dec 19, 2018

BY: Nisreen Eadeh/Arab America Contributing Writer

Christians in the Holy Land hold onto sacred traditions each year to celebrate the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ. As a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, many people around the world forget to look towards the Holy Land and its ancient cities during the Christmas season. For the Palestinian families that remain there, protecting the religious significance of the many sites and rituals of the region takes priority over political strife.

Hanin Karawani Khoury from Haifa, a historic Palestinian city in Israel, yearns for the Christmas energy from her hometown. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Haifa residents “spend their weekends walking in parades, filling the city,” Hanin told Arab America. “We go walking with friends and family, meet new people in the streets, and catch up with those older friends we have good memories with.”

Hanin recalled her memories of celebrating Eid el Ayad (Festival of Festivals) in the downtown Arab districts of Haifa. “This exclusive celebration combines the holidays of three religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism,” said Hanin. “We hope to symbolize the values of coexistence and living together in peace and harmony.” Haifa residents gather together at Christmas bazaars for hot chestnuts and holiday drinks.

Of course, there’s Christmas Mass to attend, too. Hanin attended Christmas Mass with Abuna Agapios at the Catholic Church but took a moment to appreciate the “beauty of attending Mass at the Mar Elias Church, on Mount Carmel, which has a view of the mountain and the sea coming together.

Southeast of the coastal city of Haifa is the bustling Palestinian city, Ramallah. Dima Hanania expressed her love for the city’s dynamic “religious and cultural diversity that leads to a holiday celebrated by all, where Muslims attend Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and Christians pass out dates and sweets during Ramadan.”

Dima views Ramallah as an accommodating city for all religions. “Christmas events start at the beginning of December and run all the way through mid-January in order to include Greek Orthodox and Armenian Christians,” Dima mentioned proudly.

For Ramallah residents like Dima, Christmas is more about family and religion than it is in Western countries. “On Christmas day, we attend church services, take part in Holy Communion, for which we would have fasted for 3 days in advance, and then visit each family member’s house for about 10 minutes each in order to have time to visit with everyone,” Dima said of her traditions.

Guests then become the hosts for another round of visiting. Afterward, elders host a Christmas dinner, where “the entire family gathers at their home to enjoy a meal of lamb, ample side dishes, and desserts like ma’amoul and spiced cakes,” Dima told Arab America.

With the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by President Donald Trump, there has been an outpouring of international outrage directed against his decision. Jerusalem is not only significant to Palestinian Christians and Christians worldwide this holiday season, but is the international home to people of many religious denominations.

Nur Watad reflected on the traditions of the Old City and Christian Quarter, which host massive celebrations for pilgrims from all around the world. “The street lights in Jerusalem light up each night, leaving the ambiance of the historic buildings to appear strikingly peaceful and welcoming,” Nur said fondly of her city.

With so many tourists visiting Jerusalem to celebrate Christmas, events are held in the narrow streets and alleys of the ancient city. “Holiday festivals, carols, concerts, and tours occupy the streets of Jerusalem on the ten last days of December,” said Nur. “Big dinners are held in hotels, restaurants, and chapels, while parades, musical performances, workshops, and gift stands fill the streets.”

Nur feels happiness and fulfillment while walking around the streets of the Old City. She holds a special love for the hard work Palestinians take on to “make Christmas a pleasant holiday and an unforgettable experience for all celebrators, tourists, and residents.”

Nearby in another ancient Christian city, Bethlehem, residents hold equally as lavish and loving celebrations for themselves and tourists. Grasel Sleem, a Beit Jala resident, told Arab America that Bethlehem and Beit Jala prepare for Christmas by participating in advent throughout December. “In the 3 weeks before Christmas, everyone lights a candle in their home on Sunday morning. The fourth candle we light is on Christmas Day,” Grasel said.

For 24 days before Christmas, Bethlehem streets are decorated and residents celebrate with music performances by the local scouts. “People celebrate in their homes then attend Christmas Mass at night at the Nativity Church, the place where Jesus was born, which feels like a divine attendance,” Grasel said warmly.

Bethlehem also partakes in the Western tradition of Saint Nicholas, who leaves “something special for the kids before going to church at night and again in the morning.” Grasel wishes everyone could celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem, a small city where generations of residents maintain pride in the birthplace of their savior.

Like Bethlehem, the Palestinian city of Nazareth in Israel cherishes its connection to Jesus Christ. “In Jesus’s hometown, people become very excited about Christmas and start intensely preparing for it around December 10,” said Dr. Amal David of Arab America, who was born and raised in Nazareth.

In the northern city, residents partake in many traditions seen in the United States, too. “Families decorate a fresh Christmas tree and build elaborate nativity scenes with little roads, rivers, and trees,” recalled Amal.

Pilgrims and tourists make their way to Nazareth to observe the city’s festivities. “Several parades and huge concerts take place around the Orthodox Church to kick off the holiday season and bring joy to the young and old,” said Amal. “A massive Christmas tree is lighted and volunteers construct a village, replicating where Jesus lived more than 2000 years ago.”

Amal admired the uplifting atmosphere that comes with Nazareth’s decorated streets and buildings. “I remember how fun it was to be in Nazareth on Christmas Eve when we would stroll along El-Meedan and sing Christmas songs with everyone.” On Christmas Day, families open their homes to guests after attending church in nice, new clothing. In Jesus’s hometown, the celebrations of caroling and visiting family continue for up to three weeks after Christmas. “Among the guests that come by to extend wishes are Muslim friends and neighbors,” Amal noted.

For Palestinians across the Holy Land, this special holiday is a remarkable time of year that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Appreciating the Holy Land, and its residents who lovingly tend to the history is one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas.