Worshippers pray in the Church of Nativity, the site widely believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Saturday (AFP photo by Musa Al Shaer)

AFP |Jordan Times

BETHLEHEM — Tens of thousands of Christians were flocking to Bethlehem on Saturday to celebrate Christmas following a year of political upheaval and change across the Arab world.

In Rome, thousands of the faithful gathered in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square as night fell for the blessing of a giant Nativity scene to the sound of accordions, hurdy gurdies and Christmas carols.

As day broke on the not-so-little-town, which lies just a few miles south of Jerusalem, locals were busily preparing to welcome thousands of pilgrims who want to see the spot where the Bible says Jesus was born to a couple from Nazareth.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fuad Twal, the most senior Roman Catholic bishop in the Middle East, made his solemn entry into the birthplace of Christ in the middle of the afternoon.

He was accompanied by Palestinian Scout troops playing bagpipes, an inheritance from the British mandate in the first half of the 20th century.

The colourful procession led to Manger Square in the centre of Bethlehem. Christmas is a national holiday in the Palestinian territories.

Hotels and guesthouses across this ancient town perched on the hilltops were packed to capacity, Palestinian officials said, with more than 50,000 visitors from around the world expected to join in the festivities.

“Hotels are full. We have no rooms left even though the number of hotel rooms has multiplied in the last three years,” Palestinian Tourism Minister Khulud Daibes told AFP.

“We expect up to 50,000 people to come in the next two days.” This year’s theme, she said, was “Palestine celebrating hope”.

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