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Bethlehem Shines on Christmas

Bethlehem was the star of the region’s Christmas celebrations as tens of thousands poured into the ancient city to celebrate the holiday. Crowds larger than in any year since Israel ceded control to the Palestinians enjoyed perfect weather and the cooperation of Israeli and Palestinian governments in facilitating visitors’ passage into the city. The only would-be tourists who failed to arrive were victims of snow storms that shut down European airports. Revelry in Manger Square included Christmas carols sung in English and Arabic; and Midnight Mass celebrated by Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal who led the traditional process from Jerusalem to Bethlehem before the church service.