As one might imagine, Christmas in Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born, is a major event. Some of Bethlehem's Christmas celebrations would be familiar to Europeans and North Americans - the streets are strung with Christmas lights, there is a Christmas market and Christmas plays are performed.

But other events, which are the most important religiously, are special to Bethlehem and in keeping with the traditions of the Holy Land. These consist of multiple services and processions led by many different Christian denominations, including Catholic, Protestant, Greek Orthodox, Ethiopian, Armenian and more.

Most Christmas processions pass through Manger Square, the plaza outside the Basilica of the Nativity, which stands on the traditional site of Jesus' birth. Catholic services take place in St. Catherine's Church and Protestants often hold services at the Shepherds' Fields.

Bethlehem Christmas celebrations stretch for a long period, as different denominations celebrate Christmas on different days. Roman Catholics and Protestants celebrate Christmas on December 25; Greek, Syrian and other Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 6; and Armenian Christians celebrate Christmas on January 18. Below is a summary of the many services and events that take place in Bethlehem.

Protestant Christmas in Bethlehem

Protestant churches based in the Holy Land celebrate Christmas in a variety of ways. Some simply hold special Christmas services in their local churches, while others organize excursions for special services in the Shepherd's Fields or the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

The Anglican Cathedral of St. George, the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer and the YMCA are among the Jerusalem churches who organize travel to Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations. Buses leave from the Jerusalem churches and advance tickets are normally required. Following is a typical combined schedule for these Protestant events.

Time	Place	Event
December 24
4pm	Shepherds' Fields	Anglican carol Service in the Shepherds Field (YMCA) of Beit Sahour in English and Arabic
4:30pm	Shepherds' Fields	YMCA Christmas Eve Service at YMCA Shepherds' Fields, Beit Sahour in English
5pm	Lutheran Church in Bethlehem	Lutheran service in German and English
9pm	Church of the Nativity	Anglican Christmas carols and lessons in English and Arabic

Catholic Christmas in Bethlehem

Roman Catholic services begin on December 24 and center around St. Catherine's Church, a Catholic church adjacent to the Orthodox Basilica of the Nativity. Services are also held on January 5 and 6 to celebrate Epiphany. A typical schedule of Catholic events in Bethlehem is as follows:

Time	Place	Event
DECEMBER 24
1.00 pm	Tomb of Rachel	The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, is welcomed by Latin Parish Priest of Bethlehem and representatives of Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour.
1.30 pm	Manger Square	Solemn entry of the Latin Patriarch into the Basilica of the Nativity and  St. Catherine Church followed by Pontifical Vespers.
4.00 pm	Grotto of the Nativity	Daily procession from St. Catherine's Church to the Nativity Grotto (inside the Basilica of the Nativity)
10.00 pm	St. Catherine's Church	St Catherine's Church is opened. Advance tickets required (free of charge).
11.10 pm	St. Catherine's	Solemn "Office of Readings".
DECEMBER 25
Midnight	St. Catherine's	Pontifical Eucharistic Concelebration.
Midnight	Grotto of the Nativity	Low Masses till 5.15am with interruption at 1:30-2:30am and at 5:30am to 7am approximately.
1.30 am	St. Catherine's	Solemn traditional Procession to the Grotto.
10.00 am	St. Catherine's	Chanting of Terce and Pontifical Mass.
2.00 pm	Shepherds' Fields	Pilgrimage to the Orthodox Grotto of the Shepherds and the Latin Chapel of Shepherds' Field.
DECEMBER 26
Various	St. Catherine's Church	Masses at 6.30, 7.30, 10.00 am., and 4.30 pm.
JANUARY 5
11am	Tomb of Rachel	His Paternity the Custos of the Holy Land is welcomed by Latin Parish Priest and other representatives of Bethlehem.
11:30am	Manger Square	Solemn Entry of his Paternity the Custos of the Holy Land into the  Basilica of the Nativity and St. Catherine Church.
1:30pm	St. Catherine's Church	Pontifical Vespers and Procession to the Grotto of the Nativity.
3:30pm	St. Catherine's Church	Pontifical Vespers and Procession to the Grotto of the Nativity.
JANUARY 6
Midnight	Grotto of the Nativity	Masses till 9am with an interruption between about 1am and 2am
10am	St. Catherine's Church	Pontifical Eucharistic Concelebration.
3:30pm	St Catherine's Church	Sung vespers and solemn traditional procession to the Grotto.

Orthodox Christmas in Bethlehem

Orthodox Christians, including Greek Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Romanian Orthodox and others, celebrate Christmas on January 6. Like Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christmas in Bethlehem consists of numerous processions and long services. Most Orthodox events take place at the Basilica of the Nativity. A typical Orthodox schedule of events is as follows:

Time	Place	Event
JANUARY 6
9am	Manger Square	The Syrian Archbishop arrives at Manger Square
9:30am	Manger Square	The Coptic Archbishop arrives at Manger Square
11am	Manger Square	The Greek Orthodox Patriarch arrives at Manger Square
1pm-3:30pm	Church of the Nativity	Greek Orthodox vespers and liturgy
1pm	Church of the Nativity	Syrian vespers
2:30pm	Church of the Nativity	Coptic vespers
3:30pm	Manger Square	Ethiopian arrival at the Manger Square and procession to the Ethiopian Church of Eyesus on Milk Grotto Street
4-5pm	Church of Eyesus	Ethiopian vespers
8:45pm	Church of Eyesus	Ethiopian bells, prayers and veneration of the Icons
9:50pm	Church of Eyesus	Ethiopian laudes (Mahlet)
10:30pm	Church of the Nativity	Greek matins
10:40pm	Church of the Nativity	Coptic liturgy
11pm	Church of the Nativity	Syrian liturgy
11:15pm	Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)	Greek midnight service
JANUARY 7
Midnight-3:30am	Church of the Nativity	Greek liturgy
Midnight	Church of Eyesus	Midnight Liturgy (Kidassie)
4am	Church of Eyesus	Ethiopian special breakfast

Armenian Christmas in Bethlehem

Armenian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 18. Most Armenian Christmas services center around the Basilica of the Nativity. A typical Armenian schedule of events is as follows:

Time	Place	Event
JANUARY 18
11am	Manger Square	Arrival of the Armenian Patriarch on Manger Square
2:30pm	Church of the Nativity	Entry in the Church of the Nativity followed by vespers
10:30pm-1am	Church of the Nativity	Midnight service
JANUARY 19
1:15am	Grotto of the Nativity	Episcopal High Mass
4:30am	Grotto of the Nativity	Patriarchate Mass
6am	Grotto of the Nativity	Mass concludes

Quick Facts on Christmas in Bethlehem

Site Information
Names:	Christmas in Bethlehem
Visitor and Contact Information
Address:	Manger Square, Bethlehem, West Bank Christian Information Centre: Jaffa Gate, P.O.B. 14308 Jerusalem 91142
Phone:	972-2-6272692 (Christian Information Centre)
Email:	[email protected]

Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

1. Catholic Christmas Celebrations in Bethlehem/Jerusalem - Christus Rex
2. Orthodox Christmas Celebrations in Bethlehem/Jerusalem - Christus Rex
3. Christian Celebrations of Christmas in Bethlehem/Jerusalem - Christus Rex
4. Christmas - Encyclopaedia Britannica
5. Bethlehem - Encyclopaedia Britannica

More Information

• http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/cic/CICxmas.htm
• [email protected]
• Photos of Christmas in Bethlehem - here on Sacred Destinations