The mood in Bethlehem

I read some news pieces that reported a feeling of greater calm and joy in Bethlehem this Christmas, and more optimism for the future. I guess that's true. I felt the peace and sense of communion in the churches while there, and it's always nice to settle in a cozy restaurant when it's cold outside. By and large, the people were nice, both tourists and locals, and there was no real politically-charged disruption beyond the arrival and presence of Abu Mazen, which was pretty mild.

But almost all the news pieces also mentioned the tough times businesses in Bethlehem have fallen on, despite the hightened sense of peace this Christmas. There were plenty of little kids selling trinkets on the streets, and stores that aren't well-kept. Tourists still don't all feel safe coming there for the holidays, or during the year, and more and more of those who have the opportunity to get out and move to some other country, largely Palestinian Christians, are taking it.

Still, the number of people there was supposedly encouraging. We'll see.