Preparations for Cheerful Bethlehem Christmas as Town Bustles with Tourists

Forty-day-old Christian Palestinian infant Riyan Khader is laid in front of the doll representing the infant Jesus to receive its blessing in St. Catherine's Church next to the Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, on 14 December 2008; in the ancient town of Bethlehem.

Christian pilgrims pray in the grotto of the Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ, on 14 December 2008.
A Christian pilgrim lays her hand on the 14-pointed Silver Star that marks the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ in the grotto of the Church of the Nativity, on 14 December 2008.

Just 10 days to go before Christmas, the city is bustling with tourists as unified Christian, Jewish and Muslim Palestinian forces are working diligently to make this the most cheerful Christmas since the year 2000.
Palestinian glass painter Raslan al-Natsheh decorates a glass bell, hand blown at his family's glass factory in the city of Hebron, on 14 December 2008. Glass baubles and bells are being created and sold in the town of Bethlehem and across Palestine for a wonderful remembrance of Christmas in Bethlehem.

A Palestinian policeman relaxes in a ray of sunshine which strikes the ancient marble pillars in the Church of the Nativity, on 14 December 2008.

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:14