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The corona pandemic has also clouded the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem. The usual flow of tourists did not arrive this year. Whoever it is, try to be confident.
By Benjamin Hammer, ARD Studio Tel Aviv
Cleaning the manger square in front of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem: men in protective suits sprayed disinfectant in the morning. The city in which, according to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ was born, wants to celebrate Christmas, as well as it can in times of the crown pandemic.
The Church of the Nativity was almost deserted in the morning. Normally, pilgrims queued here for hours on Christmas Eve to get to the Grotto of the Nativity. Two monks from the German-speaking Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition have come from Jerusalem. Usually they run to Bethlehem on Christmas night like the shepherds of the Christian tradition. Due to the pandemic, the Benedictine monks arrived early this morning.
Short distance, no masks
One of them is Matthias Karl. “The pandemic makes Christmas this year really extraordinary,” says the monk. “There are many pilgrims missing, many guests from all over the world who otherwise come here especially from all over the world.” In this particular situation, the Christmas message is important. “When Jesus was born, there was also a very, very difficult situation here in the country. People were under enormous pressure from the occupation of the Romans. Now we are under pressure from the virus. And I think the sight of the birth, the Incarnation of God who can give us value “.
The traditional parade of Palestinian scouts in the morning should also be encouraging. It was not canceled. During the move, the city became significantly more crowded, even if tourists were absent. Many no longer observed the distance rules. Many spectators did not wear masks. The corona pandemic may play a secondary role for some in a struggling city.
“With us hope never dies”
Kamal Mukarker went to the parade alone. This time he did not want to bring his children with him due to the corona virus. Mukarker usually works as a tour guide. No more tourists have come to Bethlehem since March, a financial disaster for the Palestinian Christian who studied in Germany. “You look at Bethlehem from the outside. It is still beautiful. What is missing are the tourists who give life to this city.”
He’s not in the Christmas mood yet, says the Palestinian. But that could still come. Now that the festivities are about to begin. The people of Bethlehem have gone through many crises. And especially at Christmas, the city also gives hope. “Hope remains. I know you have this saying: Hope dies in the end. With us it never dies.”
“A very sad Christmas”
In the afternoon, the highest representative of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land drove from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa was quarantined until recently because he was also infected with the corona virus. “This is a very sad Christmas because we cannot celebrate it according to our tradition due to the pandemic, that’s why we celebrate it in a small group,” Pizzaballa said. “We have no other choice, but we will enjoy it, despite the circumstances.”
The Katharinenkirche next to the Church of the Nativity is usually full on Christmas Eve. This time only the clergy will celebrate the midnight mass. In a year, that is the great hope in Bethlehem, the city should again be full of foreign guests.
