TAYBEH, West Bank’“The concert commenced at 7 sharp, here in the last entirely Christian community in the Holy Land, an illuminated rosary of limestone houses and Christmas lights strung across the high Samarian Hills, 20 kilometres northeast of Jerusalem. Lit by a bevy of crystal chandeliers, classically trained musicians gathered in the town’s Latin Patriarchal Church, flanked by an altar, a glowing electric space heater and an audience of about 60 expectant souls.

After being warmly welcomed by David Khoury, mayor of Taybeh ‘“ who speaks English with a Massachusetts accent, the result of 30 years in political exile ‘“ the players raised their instruments, traded glances, then plunged into the initial offering on the evening’s baroque program, the allegro first movement of Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto in F-major for Flute and Orchestra . And, lo, it was Christmas time in the Holy Land.

The spirit of the season seemed to radiate through the church and into the streets beyond, for Christmas without music wouldn’t really be Christmas at all. We are the last and only entirely Christian village in the Holy Land, proclaimed Father Raed Abusahlia, parish priest at Latin Patriarchal, speaking shortly before the concert began. We were evangelized by Jesus Christ Himself.