This is The Guardian.

Today, Christmas in Bethlehem.

Bethlehem is full of lights. There's a big, big Christmas tree and the manger square

outside of the Nativity Church, Christmas markets, Christmas concerts. And there's usually,

in Palestine, everything begins with lighting the Christmas tree in Bethlehem.

There's nowhere in the world that says Christmas, more than Bethlehem.

After all, it's where Jesus was born, in the stall of a stable when there was no room for his mum and dad at the inn.

I always say there is nothing like Christmas in Bethlehem, and I'm not exaggerating.

You know, other countries might boast a bigger tree or nicer decorations.

We don't care. This is Bethlehem. This is the real thing.

This is Munza Isak, a Christian pastor and director of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice.

Christmas in Bethlehem and actually in all Palestinian cities is a big festival.

Everyone celebrates Christmas in Palestine. Of course the prayers are for Christians, but

the public events, the public celebrations are attended by everyone.

Muslims come to take pictures next to the Christmas tree.

Many Muslims decorate their homes in Palestine with a Christmas tree.

But two years ago, as the bodies piled up in Gaza, Christmas celebrations were cancelled in Bethlehem.

In the West Bank town, there were no lights, no trees, no concerts.

To say that we cancelled Christmas celebrations as we did for the last two years is a big deal for us.

It's really a big deal. It's canceling part of our identity.

But we had no choice.

This year, after October's ceasefire, the Christmas lights were turned back on in Bethlehem.

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