What to Expect when you Celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem

Visiting the sacred town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, is on many Christians’ Christmas bucket list. Where else can you experience the Christmas of a lifetime than the place where the Christmas story happened? Bethlehem offers a more magical, meaningful venue to celebrate Christmas. It is a must-see destination if you’re a Christian, and here are some of the things to see and do when celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem.

1. Witness a remarkable gathering of people with various religious practices

Christmas is a special occasion in Israel. Even though most Israelis are Jewish and Muslim and only about 2 percent of the population is Christian, many locals take part in the Christmas festivities, including Jews and Muslims. It is a moving experience to see people of different religious affiliations and Christian denominations coming together to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem. As many visitors say, it is an experience like no other.

2. Feel the Christmas festive in Bethlehem

Bethlehem is a wonderful city to visit at any time of the year, but it becomes more special during Christmastime. The whole city transforms into a rich sea of shimmering lights and decorations and breathes with more color and warmth during this time of the year. Walk along the illuminated streets, buildings and homes. Enjoying Bethlehem’s festive vibe during Christmas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

3. Join the Christmas religious events in Bethlehem

Christmas festivals and religious ceremonies in Bethlehem start weeks before the Big Day and last until Epiphany or the Feast of The Three Kings. Christians celebrate Epiphany 12 days after Christmas. In Bethlehem, you will feel the spirit of Christmas and experience the festive spirit a little longer than in other places. As the birthplace of Jesus, several processions take place across the diverse sacred sites in Bethlehem during the Christmas season. Feel the culmination of the Christmas spirit and partake in the Christmas Eve midnight mass to complete your Christmas experience in Bethlehem.

4. Visit the religious sites at this most special time of the year

On top of the list is the Grotto of the Nativity, believed by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus. It is situated in the sepulcher underneath the main altar of the Church of the Nativity. The exact spot where Jesus was born is marked by a silver star with an inscription Hic de Virgin Maria Jesus Christus Natus Est (Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary). The Church is the oldest major church in Israel and the Grotto is the oldest place of worship among Christians.

You shouldn’t miss the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the venue of the glorious Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. It is next to the Church of the Nativity and was said to be built on the site of Christ’s appearance to St. Catherine of Alexandria. Inside St. Catherine’s Church is a narrow stairway that leads to a network of caves containing several chapels. The Chapel of the Holy Innocents memorializes the children Herod executed during the Massacre of the Innocents in Bethlehem.

Visit King David’s Wells, just a few blocks from the Church of the Nativity. The wells are three water cisterns believed to be the place where King David’s soldiers risked their lives and broke through the Philistine lines just to fetch him drinking water. Yet the king refused to drink the water when the army offered it to him upon their return to the Cave of Adullam where he was hiding together with his followers.

Another center of Christian pilgrimage in Bethlehem is the Chapel of the Milk Grotto, also known as Grotto of Our Lady and Milk Grotto. It is a Catholic chapel believed to be the place where the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph took refuge during the Massacre of the Innocents before escaping to Egypt. It was said that Virgin Mary’s milk dropped on the floor while nursing baby Jesus, which turned its color into white. Many childless couples visit the Milk Grotto to pray for fertility, and the rows of baby pictures in the shrine attest to the many answered prayers.

Rachel’s tomb, also referred to as the Bilal bin Rabah mosque, is worth visiting. It is believed to be the burial site of the matriarch Rachel. Jews, Christians and Muslims consider the tomb sacred. The burial place is mentioned in the Jewish Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), the Christian Old Testament, and Muslim scripture. Located at the northern entrance of Bethlehem, Rachel’s Tomb has been a special place for prayer since the time of her burial more than 3,000 years ago.

5. Savor local Christmas food in Bethlehem

Dine in local restaurants and enjoy the local holiday treats. Although turkey remains part of the Christmas meal, experience local flavor by trying the hummus (dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic) or shakshuka (eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers and garlic). Baklava makes a perfect dessert. Don’t miss maamoul, a traditional date-filled Christmas cookie served during religious holidays.

For more travel ideas and inspiration, click here.