Palestinian children light candles in the Nativity Church one day before Christmas, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem December 23, 2005. (MAANnews/Charlotte de Bellabre)

Palestinian children play with Christmas decorations in a Christian shop two days before Christmas celebrations, in the West Bank town of Ramallah December 22, 2005. (MAANnews/Charlotte de Bellabre)

Palestinian children play with Christmas decorations in a Christian shop 2 days before Christmas celebrations, in the West Bank town of Ramallah December 22, 2005. (MAANnews/Charlotte de Bellabre)

Palestinian women are shopping two days before Christmas celebrations in order to celebrate along with Christians, in the West Bank town of Ramallah December 22, 2005. (MAANnews/Charlotte de Bellabre)

Palestinians hold annual Christmas Bazaar in Bethlehem’s Manger Square December 4, 2005. (MAANnews/Iyad Atayat)

Related Links

Photostory: Bethlehem prepares for Christmas (21 December 2005)

From Nazareth to Bethlehem, anno 2004, Arjan El Fassed and Annet Meeuws (21 December 2004)

Living into Hope: Christmas in Zababdeh, Marthame and Elizabeth Sanders (24 December 2004)

Religious tourism and freedom of movement denied in isolated Bethlehem, Maureen Clare Murphy (23 December 2004)

An American Visit to Bethlehem, Bernard Sabella (29 November 2004)