- Title: Bethlehem lights up on Christmas Eve
- Date: 24th December 2019
- Summary: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (DECEMBER 24, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MAN DRESSED AS SANTA CLAUS RINGING THE BELL WITH LIT CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE BACKGROUND, SAYING "HO HO HO" BETHLEHEM CHRISTMAS TREE AND LIGHTING / NATIVITY CHURCH IN THE BACKGROUND LIT RED STAR ON TOP OF CHRISTMAS TREE PEOPLE GATHERED NEAR CHRISTMAS TREE, LIGHTING AND NATIVITY CHURCH IN THE BACKGROUND (SOUNDBITE) (English) VISITOR SARAH HOUSTON, LAW STUDENT FROM CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA, U.S., SAYING: "The city is different because it's seems like people from all over the world are coming here, so I've already met people from Europe, from Africa, all over, just to come to celebrate this night and the local people have been amazing, they have been really welcoming and we have talked to a lot of local Palestinians about this night. It kind of feels like a little bit like New Year's because everyone is joining us at the square. It's just been amazing." PEOPLE GATHERED AT MANGER SQUARE LIT CHRISTMAS TREE VARIOUS OF LIFE-SIZE SANTA DOLLS PALESTINIAN FLAGS FLYING CHURCH'S LIT CROSS (SOUNDBITE) (English) VISITOR ALEX CORMIER, AN ENGINEER FROM CANADA, SAYING: "To be in Bethlehem during Christmas time is special. It's a very historic city and it means a lot to many different religions, Christians and Catholics and people from all over the world, they are here, and it's a time for the holidays and it's a time to celebrate." WOMAN POSING FOR PHOTO WITH MAN DRESSED AS SANTA CLAUS, RINGING THE BELL WOODEN NATIVITY SCENE WITH LIGHTS PEOPLE GATHERED AT MANGER SQUARE, WITH LIT CHRISTMAS TREE AND CHURCH IN THE BACKGROUND STAR ON TOP OF CHRISTMAS TREE WITH CHURCH IN THE BACKGROUND (SOUNDBITE) (English) VISITOR DANIEL NAIEM, A BIOLOGY STUDENT FROM SAN ANTONIO TEXAS, U.S., SAYING: "The atmosphere is amazing, to be able to be here around Christmas in Bethlehem, the place where Christ was born, it's amazing. Then earlier this morning I was in Jerusalem, got to see the Holy Sepulchre Church, it's just an amazing atmosphere, it's an amazing place to be at. The lights are amazing, the atmosphere like the tree back here it's just.. it's awesome, it's a lot better than I expected it to be." LIT CHRISTMAS TREE AND CHURCH TOP VIEW OF MANGER SQUARE
- Embargoed: 7th January 2020 19:39
- Keywords: Bethlehem Christmas Eve Church of Nativity Manger Square Palestinians celebrations
- Location: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- City: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA001BBC4QPZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hundreds of tourists, pilgrims and local Palestinians flocked to Bethlehem's Manger Square on Tuesday (December 24) to celebrate Christmas at the place revered as Jesus's birthplace.
A man dressed as Santa Claus rang the bell as people posed for photo in front of the lit Christmas tree and decorations which brought a festive spirit to the square.
The main attractions in Bethlehem are the 4th-century Church of the Nativity, built over a grotto where Christian tradition says Jesus was born, and the 16-metre (52-foot) Christmas tree in Manger Square.
Later on Tuesday - Christmas Eve - the acting Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, will lead the traditional Midnight Mass in the Church of the Nativity.
The season offers measured cheer for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city, which is separated from nearby Jerusalem by a towering Israeli concrete military barrier.
Bethlehem is enjoying its busiest tourist year in two decades, with foreign pilgrims coming in large numbers, taking advantage of a relative lull in Israeli-Palestinian tension.
(Production: Mamoun Wazwaz, Mustafa Abu Ganeyeh) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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