The fam on a rainy day

Bethlehem - Merry Christmas from the ghetto

I had a really great time going to Manager Square in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. I went with another couple and some other students. There were lots of locals and some really crowded areas! I thought there would be more tourists, but we mostly saw local Muslims and Christians. I think Christmas is still a time of celebration for Muslims because to them, Jesus was a prophet and even born of a virgin, he just wasn't God's son.

I've never felt unsafe in Bethlehem, and Christmas Eve was no exception. But, there were a lot of people out and its a big night for tourism so the PA had lots of security on the streets.

Looking towards the Church of the Nativity

The big stage in the square where different groups sang carols or preached.

Street food!

Felafel, of course.

Shawarma

Stars and Bucks coffee. Its pretty good.

We walked back to the checkpoint and I got a few pictures of the separation wall.

"Merry Christmas from the Bethlehem Ghetto."

A large wall encircling a Christmas tree. I really like this one because the wall really does block out Christmas from Israel...and Christian Arabs in Bethlehem.

Lots of traffic. We left around 10pm, but the highlight of the night was the Midnight mass.

Big screen showing the televised Manger Square.

Bethlehem - The Christmas House store and factory

The following pictures are of the Christmas House, in Bethlehem. Owned by the Giacaman family, they have two stores and one factory in Bethlehem. This store is the one right next to the factory and on the same street as the Milk Grotto. I've visited this store a few times now and really like it.

Jack Giacaman, runs this store.

In the olive wood factory next door

Jack let us walk through the factory on Christmas eve when no one was working.

Looking down the street towards the Milk Grotto. Lots of security on the streets that night. :)

If you want anything from the store, let me know! You can also purchase from the website.