Christmas Eve brings parade and pilgrims to Bethlehem

A clergyman holds a crucifix in Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity as Christians gather for Christmas celebrations in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

A clergyman holds a crucifix in Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity as Christians gather for Christmas celebrations in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.  (Ahmad Gharabli / AFP/Getty Images)

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Tens of thousands of pilgrims each year celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus. The majority of the people in the crowd Wednesday were Palestinians, both Christians and Muslims, who also come out to the festivities en masse.

Selling balloons

A Palestinian man sells balloons outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank.   (Lior Mizrahi / Getty Images)

Walking to the Church of Nativity

Palestinian children parade outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank. Every Christmas pilgrims travel to the church where a gold star embedded in the floor marks the spot where Jesus is said to have been born.   (Lior Mizrahi / Getty Images)

Manger Square

People gather to watch Christmas celebrations in Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity as Christians gather for Christmas celebrations in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.  (Ahmad Gharabli / AFP/Getty Images)

Palestinian Christian scouts

Palestinian Christian scouts perform at Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity as Christians gather in Bethlehem.   (Ahmad Gharabli / AFP/Getty Images)

Inside the Grotto

Christian pilgrims from Nigeria pray inside the Grotto of the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.  (Majdi Mohammed / Associated Press)

Inside the Grotto

Nigerian pilgrims pray inside the Grotto, in the Church of the Nativity.  (Lior Mizrahi / Getty Images)

Manger Square

A view of Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity as people gather for Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem.   (Ahmad Gharabli / AFP/Getty Images)