Bethlehem's Christmas in the Shadows of War

In Bethlehem, the town where Jesus is believed to have been born, Christmas was quieter than usual this year. The streets were empty, the festive lights were missing, and the usual crowd of tourists was nowhere to be seen. A war in nearby Gaza cast a long shadow over the holiday. Bethlehem's mayor, Anton Salman, said the town's message is always about peace and hope, but this year they're also asking the world to help end their suffering. The lack of tourists hurt the town's economy, which relies heavily on Christmas visitors. Unemployment is high, with many shops shuttered. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa held a special mass in Gaza City and saw the devastation, but also the resilience of the people. The war has made it hard for people to move around, causing more problems for Bethlehem's economy. Elsewhere, Christmas was also subdued. In Syria, Christians protested after a Christmas tree was burned in Hama. In Germany, a car attack at a Christmas market left many injured and killed five people.