In Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity cancels Christmas events amid conflict

One of the world's oldest churches is now a casualty of one of the longest running conflicts, as the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem cancels Christmas events.

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in the West Bank is a sacred site for the two and a half billion Christians around the globe.

It was built on top of the cave where Christians believe Jesus was born, and their faith began.

When Father Issa Thaljieh takes a Global News team down, the only other person in the church is an Armenian tourist who describes the feeling of the space as connecting “with something very important.”

Normally, there would be thousands of people filing into and out of the church. But now, it is completely empty. One of the world’s oldest churches is now a casualty of one of the longest running conflicts.

“This is exactly what we are grieving, we are sad for what happening,” says Thaljieh.

“We would like actually to pray for peace, for love. This is what we need.”

But those prayers, this year, will be made in complete silence.

Manger Square, right outside the church, is traditionally the focal point of Christmas celebrations. But not even the COVID-19 pandemic reduced it to what it is now.