Christians across the world celebrated Christmas Wednesday, with the mood darkened by wars and a massive "inhumane" Christmas morning attack on Ukraine by Russia as well as a plane crash in Kazakhstan.

The city of Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, will not have the usual trappings of the city's favorite holiday: no public Christmas tree, no raucous scouts march,

Faith leaders and residents in Bethlehem are grappling with how to mark the festive holiday while fellow Palestinians continue to be killed.

Amid war and loss, Bethlehem marks a somber Christmas, with prayers for peace and resilience echoing through the Church of the Nativity and beyond

As Christmas arrives, the small Christian community in the Gaza Strip is again facing a season mired in war. Once a time marked by family gatherings, decorations and liturgies, the holiday this year will be spent in makeshift shelters in partially destroyed churches standing amid the ruins of a war-torn enclave.

The usual crowds of tourists and fest of lights are missing in Bethlehem for the second year, under the shadow of the war in Gaza. NBC News’ Raf Sanchez spoke with Nuha Tarazi, who shared how difficult it is to celebrate while her family suffers in Gaza.

Happiness comes from what happens. Joy comes from a much deeper place, and it doesn’t matter what’s going on around you."

The Nativity Store in Manger Square in Bethlehem has sold handmade olive wood carvings and religious items to pilgrims visiting the Church of the Nativity, where Christianity holds Jesus was born, since 1927.