Tourists Bring Holiday Cheer to Little Town of Bethlehem

Thousands of tourists and pilgrims gathered here for Christmas Eve celebrations, bringing a long-missing sense of holiday cheer to the town where Christians believe Jesus was born.

Spirits were buoyed this year by Israel’s summer withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a sharp drop in violence.

Throughout the day, choirs, marching bands and bagpipe players entertained the crowds. Several thousand people packed Manger Square -- the large, stone-paved courtyard near the Church of the Nativity -- as a procession led by Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah entered Bethlehem.

Sabbah promoted peace at midnight Mass at St. Catherine’s Church and called for an end to Israel’s killing of Palestinian militants, saying the practice has failed to improve security or halt the cycle of violence.

Security was heavy, but there were no reports of trouble.

“It’s awesome here. It is very emotional to come here and see the procession with the thousands of pilgrims who came from all around the world,” said Edwina Webster, 53, of Hereford, England.

About 30,000 people were expected to visit over the Christmas holiday, 10,000 more than last year but still a big decline from the 1990s, when 150,000 people would come.

Israel and the Palestinians agreed to a cease-fire in February, bringing a sharp slowdown in fighting. About 218 Palestinians and 55 Israelis have been killed this year, compared with nearly 800 Palestinian and 112 Israeli deaths in 2004.

But Israel’s imposing barrier and checkpoint at the entrance to the town provided a stark reminder of the unresolved conflict.

The concrete wall, which Israel says is needed to keep attackers out of its cities, divides Bethlehem and blocks access to neighboring Jerusalem.

The barrier prevented tourists from walking into town on the biblical-era route believed to have been used by Joseph and Mary. Instead, they entered through the Israeli checkpoint.

The Bethlehem celebration was just one of many.

At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI offered a Christmas prayer for peace in the Holy Land.

“On this night, when we look toward Bethlehem, let us pray in a special way for the birthplace of our Redeemer and for the men and women who live and suffer there,” the pope said. “We wish to pray for peace in the Holy Land.”

In Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, where few have heard of Christmas, an American admiral on Saturday surprised hundreds of child survivors of the massive South Asian quake with gifts of stuffed toys and candies.

“We are here for humanitarian work, and this effort is part of it,” said Navy Rear Adm. Michael LeFever, the senior U.S. commander of the humanitarian mission. “If this could help bring small innocent children out of the shock they suffered, it would be wonderful.”

The gifts included a miniature Chinook helicopter, a favorite among children in the Kashmir region because it’s associated with relief, as well as a model fighter jet, tennis rackets, jigsaw puzzles and dolls.