CSF International - Christmas Recipe Edition '22

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS IN WAR TORN

PALESTINE

ith the Christmas season upon us, approximately 2 billion people are preparing for one of the most popular and celebrated holidays in the world - a holiday that originated in a region now devastatingly affected by war. Palestine is located in the West Bank within the country of Israel, and referred to as the ‘Cradle of Christianity’. It contains one of the most famously known aspects of the story of Christmas, the city of Bethlehem, known to many as the birthplace of Jesus. We recognise this story and Bethlehem when we see nativity sets displayed at Christmastime. The oldest recorded language to use the word ‘Bethlehem’ is the Hebrew/Aramaic language.

The word ‘Bethlehem’ in Hebrew/Aramaic means “House of Bread”, and is thought to be due to the region’s suitable and fertile soil for growing wheat. Bread is also a symbol for Jesus in Christianity. The main crops of ancient Israel were wheat, barley, olive, grape, pomegranate, date palm, and fig. These crops still thrive in the region today and represent the earliest known domesticated crops in the Middle East, also known as the ‘7 Plant Species’.

Every year thousands of people travel to Palestine to celebrate one thing together: Christmas, bound by a common piece of mistletoe which is the joy of Christmas. Festivities include a massive parade, Christmas tree lighting, Christmas markets, and what everyone, everywhere really loves about Christmas

which is the food we grow to remember during the Christmas season. It is this binding thread of joy, finding comfort in familiar festive foods and the people around us regardless of where they come from which represents the enduring spirit and power of Christmas.

According to the United Nations Official for the Middle East Peace Process, “...2022 is on course to be the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs began systematically tracking Palestinian fatalities in 2005…” To date not war, or a global pandemic can stop the celebration of Christmas in Bethlehem, with a reported 10,000 people celebrating Christmas Eve in the city in 2021 while Israeli covid-19 restrictions were in effect. The majority control of the movement of goods and people in and out of Palestine has alternated over the years. So how can it be that the most popular holiday in the world, which celebrates joy and togetherness originated and remains in a region so affected by war? Maybe this is again, an example of the spirit of Christmas - that one of the most binding and powerful things as humans is finding joy in the food and people around us. Here are a few traditional Christmas foods of Bethlehem compared to their Western versions which have evolved over centuries and thousands of Christmas Eves travelling from Bethlehem slowly to the Western Hemisphere.

Bethlehem

Roasted lamb neck with stuffing made of rice, chickpea, and pine nuts.

Mamoul; Christmas butter cookies made with semolina flour and often with a date paste filling.

Whole grain wheat or barley bread

Western Hemisphere

Roasted turkey, chicken, or duck with stuffing made of bread, egg, vegetables and sausage.

Christmas butter cookies using cookie cutter shapes, decorated with icing and sprinkles.

Processed white flour dinner rolls