Christmas festivities begin in West Bank town of Bethlehem

Associated PressDecember 24, 2018

Christian worshippers light candles at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognized by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. Christians around the world will celebrate Christmas on Monday. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Palestinians are preparing to host pilgrims from around the world in celebrating Christmas in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, crossed an Israeli military checkpoint from Jerusalem on Monday ahead of midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

Hundreds of locals and foreign visitors gathered in Manger Square as bagpipe-playing Palestinian Scouts paraded past a giant Christmas tree.

A Christian worshipper prays at the Grotto, under the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognized by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. Christians around the world will celebrate Christmas on Monday. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maaya says "the whole world is looking toward Bethlehem" and the Palestinians are ready to host them.

The Christmas festivities traditionally bring a boost of holiday cheer to Christians in the Holy Land, who make up just a small percentage of the local population.

More: Christmas

Associated Press

Show Comments (

)

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

Tim Werner

6 years 2 months ago

Oh my God!
How much I love Christmas holidays!

Emma Roe

6 years 2 months ago

Here is some interesting info about the unique schools!

Colleen Dulle

‘Say Nothing’ breaks the I.R.A.’s code of silence

Molly Cahill

Pope Francis, in stable condition, continues to pray, work and rest

Gerard O’Connell

Men and boys are lost. The Catholic Church can give them a better model of manliness.

Brady Smith

Pope Francis’ advice for Lent: Fast from hurtful words

Connor Hartigan

Your source for jobs, books, retreats, and much more.

The Future of Catholicism in the United States

Books

Signs of Hope: Finding Jubilee in a Fractured World – May 1-2

Activities, Conferences, Events

St. Joseph’s Seminary, the major seminary of the Archdiocese of New York

Seminaries & Theology Studies

Specialized Formation

Education, Seminaries & Theology Studies

University of Scranton – seeks Executive Director of the Jesuit Center

Jobs, Retreats, Seminars, Shrines, Spiritual Resources

The latest from america

pilgrims make their way toward st peters basilica under a cloudy sky

Pope Francis shows ‘gradual, slight improvement,’ doctors say

Pope Francis' continued "gradual, slight improvement" is a sign that he is responding to the therapy he is receiving at Rome's Gemelli hospital, his doctors said.

Gerard O’ConnellMarch 08, 2025

Pope Francis, in stable condition, continues to pray, work and rest

Pope Francis had “a restful night and woke up shortly after 8 a.m.,” the Vatican said on Friday morning, March 7. It was his 22nd night in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

Gerard O’ConnellMarch 07, 2025

What Pope Francis’ voice memo reveals about his understanding of the papacy

Just as Popes John Paul II’s and Benedict’s final days revealed their understandings of the papacy, Francis’ illness has revealed him once again as the world’s parish priest, suffering close to his people.

Colleen DulleMarch 07, 2025