Christmas Around the World: A Look at 6 Countries' Traditions — From Festivities to Secrecy

By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter Monday, December 25, 2017

6. Bethlehem, Israel

A general view shows Manger Square, near the Church of Nativity, the site revered as the birthplace of Jesus, during Christmas celebrations in the West Bank town of Bethlehem December 24, 2013. | (Photo: Reuters/Ammar Awad)

Some of the biggest Christmas celebrations fittingly take place in the Israeli town of Bethlehem, where the Bible says Jesus was born.

In past years the big influx of tourists to the town has brought in over 100,000 people to mark the birth of Christ.

Multiple services and processions are led by various Christian denominations, including Catholic, Protestant, Greek Orthodox, Ethiopian, Armenian and others. The town's streets are strung with Christmas lights, with Christmas plays, markets and trees adding festivity to the scene.

The main processions pass through the world-famous Basilica of the Nativity, which is believed to be the site of Jesus' birth.

As Abu Batrous Naameh, a priest from the Syrian Orthodox Church, said last year, "celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem allows one not only to reconnect to the time of the birth of Jesus, but also the place."

"We consider this day as if it were the same day, 2016 years ago, and remember Jesus, who sacrificed himself," Naameh said, according to Jerusalem Post, adding that "the new year is an opportunity to make a pledge for peace with all people around the world and in the Holy Land."