Photo via jesuspolice.com

Thousands of pilgrims celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem

They include about 200 Christians from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, whom Israel granted permission to make the journey to Bethlehem, reports Dan Wooding, founder of ASSIST Ministries.

According to the BBC, visitor numbers this year to Bethlehem – which Christians regard as Christ's birthplace - have been more than double the number in 2007 and their highest since 2000.

Stefano Croce, an Italian fashion photographer said, “Bethlehem is like the soul of the universe.”

Palestinian security personnel have been sent to Bethlehem from the West Bank towns of Ramallah and Jericho to safeguard visitors.

The BBC reported that correspondents in the town met elated pilgrims, gathering around nightfall outside the Church of the Nativity, considered the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

A dozen believers from India, Canada, Britain, the US and other countries sung impromptu renditions of Christmas carols, the Associated Press reports.

US citizen David Bogenrief, 57, played the trumpet, telling a gaggle of local children who were listening: “Jesus was the prince of peace, and he can bring that peace to you. We pray for you.”

In Manger Square, vendors sold roasted peanuts and Santa Claus hats to the crowds, among whom were some local Muslims out enjoying the annual international fuss over their town.

Correspondents say a relative lull in violence in the Middle East seems to have encouraged pilgrims to return to the “Holy Land”.

Mexican priest Eduardo Robles Gil said that it was “really very special to be in Bethlehem on the day we celebrate Christmas, it is a very emotional moment."

Pope Benedict XVI ushered in Christmas at the Vatican as he led the traditional celebration of Midnight Mass in St Peter's Basilica.

Thousands of pilgrims and tourists were packed inside for the midnight service.

For those unable to enter, giant screens were set up in St Peter's Square. Earlier, Pope Benedict appeared at his studio window to bless the crowd and light a single candle in a sign of peace. Most of the world's 2.1 billion Christians mark Christmas this week.

Others, chiefly from among the 200 million Orthodox Christians who use the Julian Calendar for their feast days, celebrate the Nativity on January 7th.

Across the world, believers are attending Christmas church services and, in some countries, families gather for a traditional festive dinner at midnight on Christmas Eve.

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TAGS: Bethlehem pilgrims Christmas West Bank town tight security Santa Claus Christmas Eve

[12/25/2008]

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