Zarifa

Christmas Tree Lighting
During my visit to Al-Qubeiba, my ancestral town, a flood of memories came back to me. The sacred places there seemed to pulse with new life within me. Accompanied by my young granddaughter, we stepped out of the historic Emmaus Monastery, her eyes wide with wonder reflecting the magnificence of the site. “Grandma, how grand this monastery is with its ancient stones!” she exclaimed. We stood there, among the local residents and foreign tourists, as the monastery seemed to narrate tales from times long past.
“My child, this monastery dates back to a church that was rebuilt in the 14th century. It’s not the only one in our village; there’s also the The Franciscan Convent and The Salvatorian Convent. A well-known story tells that Christ shared a piece of bread with two of his disciples here, during his journey to Emmaus along the old Roman road that connected Jerusalem to Jaffa and passed through our town. From here, my dear, we can see the Mediterranean Sea and the Palestinian coastal plain with the monastery’s majestic view.”
I pointed towards the old town, where ancient domes undulated above the buildings. “Al-Qubeiba Village, named after the domes, is part of the heritage of Jerusalem district. It abounds with old buildings that still bear witness to our rich history to this day. Did you know that in Qubeiba, Christmas is almost like a national holiday celebrated by both Muslims and Christians?”
My granddaughter, brimming with excitement, added, “Grandma Zarifa, I want to attend the Christmas tree lighting here this year!” I replied with affection, “Before I married and left the village, the festive atmosphere used to fill it with joy and cheer, with scout and music bands lining up, and the villagers distributing sweets and welcoming religious figures during the holiday season.”
Looking at the trees and vineyards around us, I said to her, “I am now nearing eighty, but if these stones could speak, they would tell you stories of my childhood here. Kabibah never closes its doors; it’s open to visitors and tourists from all around the world. Behind these buildings lies our national heritage, which we must preserve.”
My granddaughter, with her eyes twinkling, said, “Grandma, I want to live in Qubeiba like you and create memories here, welcoming tourists to see the history of our village.” I smiled and said, “You can do this by studying at Bethlehem University with a branch here in ِAl-Qubeiba, where you can experience living and studying together, feeling the warmth of the village as if you were at home.”
I added, “We must always come to pray on Sundays, and invite everyone to see the beauty of our village and to preserve our cultural and religious heritage.”

Did you know that the Qubeiba is one of the areas through which the Palestine Heritage Trail passes? Here, you can wander, enjoy the beauty and diversity of Palestine’s nature, and learn about its history and heritage. For more information about the Palestine Heritage Trail, you can visit the website at https://phtrail.org/.