Status: 12/24/2022 9:25 p.m
After the corona restrictions were still in place for the past two years, tens of thousands of Christians from all over the world are now celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem again. At midnight Patriarch Pizzaballa will celebrate Mass in the Church of the Nativity.
Almost three years after the outbreak of the corona pandemic, thousands of pilgrims from all over the world celebrated Christmas in Bethlehem for the first time. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank city where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, Christians prayed at the Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve while police cordoned off Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity and tourists scanned for selfies.
Christmas procession reaches Bethlehem
A festive mood prevailed in Bethlehem, inhabited by both Christians and Muslims. A huge Christmas tree and colorful balloons decorated the streets, Boy Scout groups marched through the streets playing the bagpipes under the eyes of numerous spectators.
The traditional Christmas procession arrived in Bethlehem in the afternoon. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, drove in a convoy of cars from the Old City of Jerusalem to the city, which is almost ten kilometers away, via the Israeli checkpoint. The patriarch covered the last part of the way to the Manger Square on foot.
Hundreds of people gathered at Krippenplatz in the early afternoon. A huge Christmas tree with a star at the top adorned the square in front of the Church of the Nativity.
Image: AFP
Patriarch announces “Message of Peace”.
Numerous believers greeted the patriarch, who arrived at Manger Square more than an hour late. There he was received by Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Hanania Salman and other politicians and church representatives. Together they went to celebrate Vespers in the Catholic Church of St. Catherine next to the Basilica of the Nativity, which was built under Emperor Constantine over the grotto traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Christ.
“We live in a very difficult situation. But the message of Christmas is a message of peace,” he said, referring to the Ukraine war and the violence between Israelis and Palestinians. “Things can be changed.”
At midnight, Pizzaballa will celebrate the central Christmas mass in St. Catherine’s Church next to the Basilica of the Nativity. The patriarch announced that he would make very clear what he believed was necessary for unity and reconciliation among all.
Hotels well filled again
In addition to Christians from all parts of the Palestinian Territories and Israel, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is also expected to attend the celebration. In a traditional rite, Pizzaballa will place a figure of the Child Jesus on the spot where the Nativity is venerated during Christmas mass.
In the past two years, strict corona regulations and entry bans have kept foreign guests away from Bethlehem. This year the visitors are back and the hotels are full. Business people reported brisk shopping during the Advent season. “This year we’re celebrating Christmas very differently than last year,” said Palestinian Minister of Tourism Rula Maajah. “We celebrate Christmas with pilgrims who come from all over the world.” The Israeli Ministry of Tourism has prepared for around 120,000 pilgrims from all over the world.