Christmas Lights in Bethlehem

After the Prayer service at the Christmas Lutheran Church, we walked down the street about 6 minutes to Manger Square.  There was a huge party going on!  Lots of food carts selling corn on the cob, and hubbly bubbly stations.  A rock band played , and it was very crowded.  Our taxi driver told us that the stores and restaurants had just put up their decorations!  So, I just started snapping pictures.  Enjoy the Christmas Lights of Bethlehem....Christmas 2012!

On the street leading down to Manger Square.  You can see the very top of the Church of the Nativity steeple.

We can now see the Church of the Nativity

Two steps more and the square opens up and there is the Christmas tree!  

Church of the Nativity on the left. Church of St. Catherine on the right.

A beautiful Nativity in front of one of the stores.

An olive wood carved Nativity.  Almost life-size!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 We drove thru Shephard's Field (Beit Sahour) on the way back to Jerusalem.  This is what they had in their center square! 

Beit Sahour square

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas! 
Peace.

Bethlehem, Palestine,
It's Christmas!!!

Greetings from Bethlehem.  We went there today for the Prayer Service at the Christmas Lutheran Church which was simulcast with the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.  It was a lovely service.  The young people provided the music from the Christmas Church, a violin, guitar, and the bell choir.

Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, Palestine

Denny and I in front of the entrance to the church.

 Before we went  to the service, we headed to Manger Square to see the Christmas tree in daylight. 

Me by the HUGE tree and Nativity in Manger Square with the Church of the Nativity in the background.

The Alter

The Dome

The Bible

Oops! Can't read it!

Hymnal

Oh no!  It's backwards!

There are 3 verses, but we're stumped!

 

The Musicians

This little guy was great!  Was about 5 or 6 years old.  He counted, read the music and played his bells when he was supposed to!  Fun to watch!

Perfect!

 Joy!

I hope those of you who watched the webcast on the Cathedral's website enjoyed it.  I have to wait until they put up the finished copy before I can see it! 
Tomorrow I will be posting pictures of Manger Square with the lights, etc., and other pictures I got today in Bethlehem. 

Peace