OpinionPoliticsLiving Faith

Bethlehem Is Still a Reminder of Joy Amid Grief

By Elom Tettey-Tamaklo
A man dressed as Santa plays soccer with Palestinian teens next to West Bank barrier separating Aida refugee camp from Jerusalem, in the Israeli-occupied city of Bethlehem Dec. 22, 2025. Credit: Reuters/Ammar Awad
Dec 22, 2025
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For many of us who were raised Christian, our earliest memories of Christmas may have featured the town of Bethlehem. Whether through songs or the stories in scripture, this quaint town that welcomed the Christ child took on a central role in our faith.

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A man dressed as Santa plays soccer with Palestinian teens next to West Bank barrier separating Aida refugee camp from Jerusalem, in the Israeli-occupied city of Bethlehem Dec. 22, 2025. Credit: Reuters/Ammar Awad