Christmas in Bethlehem is more religious than a
festival of fun, since Bethlehem is the birthplace of Lord Jesus
Christ. When it comes to celebration of Christmas in Bethlehem, a
feeling of devotion rules the hearts of the people residing in it.
However, the element of fun is not lacking completely. A large
number of people gather in Manger Square to celebrate Christmas. The
crib depicting the Nativity Scene is beautifully decorated with
flags and various ornaments. Crowded church ways and busy streets
are common scene during Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem.
Bethlehem celebrates birth of Jesus Christ with an annual
procession. The parade is quite dramatic, with horsemen and police
officials riding on Arabian horses, followed by solitary horsemen
carrying a cross. The procession enters through the doorway of the
church and then an ancient effigy of the Holy Child is placed inside
the church. A cross is painted over the entrance door and homemade
cribs of Nativity scene are displayed at every home in Bethlehem to
mark the festival of Christmas are displayed in every home. A
Christmas star is placed on a pole in the village square.
In Bethlehem, different communities celebrate Christmas on
different days. When Protestants and Roman Catholics celebrate
Christmas on 25th December, the Greek, Syrian, and other Orthodox
Christians celebrate the day on January 6. Christmas is celebrated
on January 18 by Armenian Christians in Bethlehem.
