![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EBNYKVH2V2HXBQGOKFGD36FUMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=877d8b69e52044a667f272293a5ff4f7bdfb096622966d3c5cc3efe62da8524b&width=400&height=225)
The spectacular tree-lighting ceremony. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KI7SA2OQ634MTRZHGIBG4XOSNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f7649f100d8d0cbdc0245cb2218bf07fcda500060975bfec46a6bafca826f4f1&width=400&height=225)
People gather around a giant Christmas tree, which has been officially lit up at the entrance of Byblos (Jbeil), Lebanon, 08 December 2022. EPA / WAEL HAMZEH
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VTLBIOQF7TZYBC4O7Z4ULULMSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=aa9bcb8426dc9e13dfb437decd8e98bdd64aba03f675581852069438060fbd8c&width=400&height=225)
Crowds gather around a giant Christmas tree that has been officially lit up at the entrance of Byblos, in Lebanon, on Thursday. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2CWNVQW3PECYABZEA7JGITGHCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=78c9938490730dc32cf30b78145473dc762202a2528166524921b25709507421&width=400&height=225)
A light show behind the Christmas tree gave Byblos locals a reason to celebrate, despite an uncertain future during Lebanon's economic crisis. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2HXB5C6HIFUCS2ECF4UKD4Q2J4.jpg?smart=true&auth=0303161c0c26760e1f4c36d42e185bc309a58659491ea75a11a6daaac4c86e8e&width=400&height=225)
The spectacular tree-lighting ceremony. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EBNYKVH2V2HXBQGOKFGD36FUMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=877d8b69e52044a667f272293a5ff4f7bdfb096622966d3c5cc3efe62da8524b&width=400&height=225)
The spectacular tree-lighting ceremony. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KI7SA2OQ634MTRZHGIBG4XOSNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f7649f100d8d0cbdc0245cb2218bf07fcda500060975bfec46a6bafca826f4f1&width=400&height=225)
People gather around a giant Christmas tree, which has been officially lit up at the entrance of Byblos (Jbeil), Lebanon, 08 December 2022. EPA / WAEL HAMZEH
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VTLBIOQF7TZYBC4O7Z4ULULMSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=aa9bcb8426dc9e13dfb437decd8e98bdd64aba03f675581852069438060fbd8c&width=400&height=225)
Crowds gather around a giant Christmas tree that has been officially lit up at the entrance of Byblos, in Lebanon, on Thursday. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2CWNVQW3PECYABZEA7JGITGHCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=78c9938490730dc32cf30b78145473dc762202a2528166524921b25709507421&width=400&height=225)
A light show behind the Christmas tree gave Byblos locals a reason to celebrate, despite an uncertain future during Lebanon's economic crisis. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2HXB5C6HIFUCS2ECF4UKD4Q2J4.jpg?smart=true&auth=0303161c0c26760e1f4c36d42e185bc309a58659491ea75a11a6daaac4c86e8e&width=400&height=225)
The spectacular tree-lighting ceremony. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EBNYKVH2V2HXBQGOKFGD36FUMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=877d8b69e52044a667f272293a5ff4f7bdfb096622966d3c5cc3efe62da8524b&width=400&height=225)
The spectacular tree-lighting ceremony. Reuters
Byblos Christmas tree brings comfort to Lebanese despite uncertain future
Tree's size speaks of more prosperous times, but residents are comforted by its presence nonetheless
![Nada Homsi](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F49a84bd1-755a-4365-a5e5-1b8eaefb1ebb.png?smart=true&auth=798952a9ca703ae26fa408a47bf490323f90ae2ec545f65a80b4168e9365973c&width=70&height=70)
Nada Homsi
08 December, 2022
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