Every year's highlight in Bethlehem
is Christmas. There are actually three celebrations: the
Western observance occurs on December 25, according to
the Gregorian calendar; the Orthodox is celebrated on
January 6, according to the older Julian calendar; and
finally the Armenian on January 19.
|
Orthodox
women praying at the Nativitiy Church in the
early 20th century |
On these days, the town is festive
with lights and banners, and the churches are full with
worshippers and visitors. Carols pour from loud-speakers
in the crowded Manager Square, and brisk trade is done
in the carved olive wood and mother-of-pearl souvenirs
for which Bethlehem is renowned.
Among the exciting aspects of Bethlehem's Christmas are
the parades of Palestinian scouts through the town of
Bethlehem. They come together in Manger Square to greet
each Patriarch on his arrival from Jerusalem. In the
past some scout processions started and marched from
Rachel's tomb to Manger Square through Star Street. This
is the route which is followed every Christmas Eve by
the clergy of Jerusalem, led by the Patriarch as they
march in a solemn procession to the historic Church of
Nativity. As they proceed to Manager Square, they are
met by local clergy of Bethlehem. Troops from various
sectarian groupings march together in front of the
Patriarchs' processions through the winding streets of
the town, with local people and foreign pilgrims,
crowded together. Crowds of up to 100,000 visitors and
tourists from around the world cram up the square from
the morning to watch the procession. When each Patriarch
meets the dignitaries and then enters the church, the
scouts disperse. The climax on Christmas Eve for the
Roman Catholics is the elaborate midnight mass in the
presence of dignitaries and diplomats. Other churches
have their own special services in Bethlehem and
Jerusalem. In the evening the crowds gather at the
Manger Square to listen to various choirs and orchestras
which sing Christmas carols. On Christmas day many
people go to the Shepherds' Field Church in Beit Sahour
to attend afternoon prayers in the old subterranean
grotto and to watch the procession of local clergy to
the Shepherds' Field Church joined by the boys scouts
complete with bands.
