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Festivity
- Christmas in Bethlehem |
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| Protestant
and Roman Catholic churches
hold Christmas Day services on 25 December. The
Eastern churches - the Ethiopian
Orthodox church, Russian Orthodox Church and the
Armenian church - celebrate Christmas on
6 or 7 January. There have been rituals, parties
and celebrations at this time of year for thousands
of years Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus
Christ and Holy Land for Christians. Christmas
in Bethlehem is more religious than fun. In Manger
Square, many people gather to celebrate Christmas
in a traditional way. Church of the Nativity is
decorated with flags and various ornaments.
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Most
important function is the annual procession
and multiple holy services. The procession
is led by many different Christian denominations,
including Catholic, Protestant,
Greek Orthodox, Ethiopian, Armenian and
more. They are followed by solitary
horseman carrying a cross
followed by the churchmen and government officials.
The procession solemnly enters the doors and places
an ancient effigy of the Holy Child in the church.
Deep winding stairs lead to a grotto
where visitors find a silver
star marking the site of the birth of Jesus.
Every home in Bethlehem has
a cross-painted over the door and and each home
displays a homemade manger
scene. A Christmas
star is erected up on a pole in the village
square. |
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