After two years under fire, Christmas season is finally returning to northern Israel. Trees are lit, colorful markets are reopening, and tourists are beginning to trickle back into Nazareth and the sacred Christian sites. The atmosphere is festive, hopeful, and filled with the warmth of a long-awaited holiday season.

But behind the glowing lights lies a more complex reality. Many of the region’s historic Christian landmarks remain neglected and underfunded. Security concerns still keep many visitors away. And despite hosting the tallest Christmas tree in the Middle East, the north is struggling to fill hotels, restaurants, and local businesses that once thrived on global pilgrimage.