{"id":2525212,"date":"2025-12-26T12:53:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T17:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thanks-to-trump-christmas-returned-to-bethlehem\/"},"modified":"2025-12-26T12:56:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T17:56:11","slug":"thanks-to-trump-christmas-returned-to-bethlehem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thanks-to-trump-christmas-returned-to-bethlehem\/","title":{"rendered":"Thanks to Trump, Christmas Returned to Bethlehem"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthanks-to-trump-christmas-returned-to-bethlehem%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2525212&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>After two years of war following the 2023 Hamas attack,Bethlehem marked a return of public Christmas celebrations as a U.S.-sponsored ceasefire held since October. Manger Square featured a large Christmas tree and thousands gathered for services led by cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, with Christians and Muslims joining the observance. Locals and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/is-atheism-dead\/\" title=\"Is Atheism Dead?\">tour guides<\/a> described the day as a sign of hope and a step toward normal life, while tourism-still far below prewar levels-showed tentative signs of returning. Social media amplified images from the Nativity Church and Manger Square, and visitors described the holiday as a source of light in dark times. The report notes that Bethlehem lies under Palestinian Authority control and that regional tensions persist despite the ceasefire.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>The birthplace of Jesus saw a rebirth of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/anne-rice-novelist-who-breathed-new-life-into-vampires-dies-at-80\/\" title=\"Anne Rice, Novelist Who Breathed New Life into Vampires, Dies at 80\">public celebration<\/a> on Christmas Day after two years of war.<\/p>\n<p>Since the savage Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in 2023 sparked relentless fighting in the Gaza Strip, the city of Bethlehem roughly 50 miles inland has been more of an armed camp for Christmas than a scene of pilgrimage.<\/p>\n<p>And before President Donald Trump returned to the White House, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-is-war-breaking-out-in-the-congo-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Why is war breaking out in the Congo? - Washington Examiner\">peace didn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t have a prayer.<\/p>\n<p>With a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/us-deploying-troops-israel-part-ceasefire-deal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S.-sponsored ceasefire<\/a> holding since October, however, Bethlehem boasted a giant Christmas tree in its Manger Square, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/christmas-bethlehem-christians-war-israel-gaza-tourism-ffa3e7842d1843899d580322d97a7e9c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Associated Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And while the number of foreign tourists was only a fraction of what it was in times of peace, some residents told the AP that there were signs that tourism &mdash; the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-gives-cities-more-power-to-ban-homeless-camps-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Supreme Court gives cities more power to ban homeless camps - Washington Examiner\">town&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s economic lifeblood &mdash; was returning.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() { \t\t\t\t\tfunction loadScript(src) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst script=document.createElement(\"script\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src=src; \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.async=true; \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.body.appendChild(script); \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\tfunction findPreviousParagraph(selector, x) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst targetElement=document.querySelector(selector); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!targetElement) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Target element not found.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Get all <\/p>\n<p> elements in order as they appear in the document \t\t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphs=Array.from(document.querySelectorAll(\"p\")); 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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t{ threshold: 0.5 } \/\/ Adjust threshold as needed \t\t\t\t\t\t);  \t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.observe(element); \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the 1st paragraph before #stnvideo and observe it \t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphToObserve=findPreviousParagraph(\"#stnvideo\", 2); \t\t\t\t\tobserveElement(paragraphToObserve); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Today is a day of joy, a day of hope, the beginning of the return of normal life here,&rdquo; Bethlehem tour guide Georgette Jackaman, whose family has lived in the city for generations, told the news agency.<\/p>\n<p>Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the patriarch of Jerusalem and highest-ranking Catholic Church official in the Holy Land, led the celebrations, bringing greetings from the small Christian community of Gaza, AP reported.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We, all together, we decide to be the light, and the light of Bethlehem is the light of the world,&rdquo; he told a crowd of thousands, that included Christians and Muslims, according to the AP.<\/p>\n<p>Scenes from Bethlehem were publicized to the globe by <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >social media users<\/a>, including some familiar faces:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">In Bethlehem, for the FIRST TIME IN 3 Years, in the birthplace of Jesus Christ, they celebrate CHRISTMAS<\/p>\n<p>MERRY CHRISTMAS <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2PqOIQNS0g\">pic.twitter.com\/2PqOIQNS0g<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ryan Rozbiani (@RyanRozbiani) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RyanRozbiani\/status\/2004006254143066428?\">December 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">In the sweetest of waitings, wishing you a Merry Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n<p>Bethlehem&rsquo;s Nativity Grotto, where Jesus was born.&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/p6an47xaN5\">pic.twitter.com\/p6an47xaN5<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Muse (@xmuse_) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/xmuse_\/status\/2003842837893579229?\">December 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Merry Christmas from Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square &ndash; the site of the birth of Christ!<br \/> &ldquo;For today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord&rdquo;. Luke 2:11 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XRinmwtwuO\">pic.twitter.com\/XRinmwtwuO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SarahHuckabee\/status\/2004205277860843551?\">December 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Merry Christmas from Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square &ndash; the site of the birth of Christ!&rdquo; Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former Trump White House press secretary and current <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/watch-sarah-huckabee-sanders-supplies-epic-reply-newsoms-republicans-heels-comment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">governor of Arkansas<\/a> wrote in a post on X.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/breaking-trump-warns-hamas-stop-murdering-gazans-will-no-choice-kill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trump-backed peace<\/a> in Gaza doesn&rsquo;t mean the end of tensions in the region. Bethlehem is in territory under the official control of the Palestinian Authority, which is no friend of Israel or the United States &mdash; though it had allies <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/biden-administration-pressures-israel-give-tax-revenue-palestinian-authority\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in the Biden administration<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But this year&rsquo;s celebrations of the birth of Jesus is at least an indication that what seems impossible can be brought about.<\/p>\n<p>As one French visitor to Bethlehem told The Associated Press: &ldquo;Christmas is like hope in very dark situations.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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