Thousands Celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem

December 25, 2011 | FoxNews.com

BETHLEHEM, West Bank –  Tens of thousands of tourists and Christian pilgrims packed the West Bank town of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations, bringing warm holiday cheer to the traditional birthplace of Jesus on a raw, breezy and rainy night.

With turnout on Saturday evening at its highest in more than a decade, proud Palestinian officials said they were praying the celebrations would bring them closer to their dream of independence.

Meanwhile, Christmas celebrations took place around the globe, with Pope Benedict XVI celebrating Christmas Eve Mass two hours before midnight at Vatican City and urging the faithful to look beyond the commercialization of the holiday and discover its true meaning.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/12/25/thousands-enjoy-merry-christmas-in-bethlehem/#ixzz1hYwa1TGB

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