Hundreds Pack Bethlehem Church For Christmas Mass

Last updated on: December 25, 2011 at 5:43 am by

Hundreds Pack Bethlehem Church For Christmas Mass 2011-12-25T05:43:15-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Hundreds of Christian faithful have filled the ancient church that marks Jesus’ traditional birthplace for Christmas Mass, undeterred by pouring rain and harsh winds.

Worshippers on Sunday rushed into the Church of the Nativity under the cover of umbrellas, leaving Manger Square, with its 50-foot-tall (15-meter-tall) Christmas tree, deserted.

Inside the bustling church, supplicants — many of them foreign — raised their voices in prayer, kissed a plaster statue of Baby Jesus and took communion.

On Christmas Eve, the turnout in Bethlehem was at its highest since a violent uprising against Israel drove away tourism more than a decade ago.

Previous Post

December 24, 2011

Text Of Pope Benedict XVI's Christmas Eve Homily

Next Post

December 25, 2011 Gaza's Hamas Leader Launches Muslim World Trip

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category

Select a Month April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Christian group is known for following a strict dress code and pacifism?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Pentecostals Amish Baptists Lutherans