![Fireworks light up the sky as streets and avenues near the Church of the Nativity, which is traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus, are illuminated with Christmas lights in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018. [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas20181201_2_33712324_39516447.jpg?w=797&h=531&ssl=1 "Christmas preparations in Bethlehem")
Fireworks light up the sky as streets and avenues near the Church of the Nativity, which is traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus, are illuminated with Christmas lights in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018. [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]
![The illuminated Christmas Tree and sparkling lights are seen glittering over streets and avenues near the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018. [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas20181201_2_33712324_39516444.jpg?w=395&h=264&ssl=1 "Christmas preparations in Bethlehem")
The illuminated Christmas Tree and sparkling lights are seen glittering over streets and avenues near the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018. [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]
![People pose for a photo in front of the illuminated Christmas Tree in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018. [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas20181201_2_33712324_39516445.jpg?w=395&h=263&ssl=1 "Christmas preparations in Bethlehem")
People pose for a photo in front of the illuminated Christmas Tree in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018. [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]
![The illuminated Christmas Tree sparkles over streets and avenues near the Church of the Nativity, which is traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus,in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018. [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas20181201_2_33712324_39516446.jpg?w=396&h=264&ssl=1 "Christmas preparations in Bethlehem")
The illuminated Christmas Tree sparkles over streets and avenues near the Church of the Nativity, which is traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus,in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018 [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]
![Fireworks light up the sky as streets and avenues near the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018. [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas20181201_2_33712324_39516443.jpg?w=396&h=264&ssl=1 "Christmas preparations in Bethlehem")
Fireworks light up the sky as streets and avenues near the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018. [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]
![Illuminated Christmas Trees are seen in streets and avenues near the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018. [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas20181201_2_33712324_39516442.jpg?w=396&h=264&ssl=1 "Christmas preparations in Bethlehem")
Illuminated Christmas Trees are seen in streets and avenues near the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018. [Issam Rimawi /Anadolu Agency]
![Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah attends the lighting of the Christmas tree in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018 [Prime Minister Office/Apaimages]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas-APA011218_PMO_00-7.jpg?w=395&h=264&ssl=1 "Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah attends the lighting of the Christmas tree")
Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah attends the lighting of the Christmas tree in Bethlehem on 1 December 2018 [Prime Minister Office/Apaimages]
![Palestinian Christians watch as fireworks light the sky in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on 1 December 2018 [Ahmad Arouri/Apaimages]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas-APA011218_AAR_00-13.jpg?w=395&h=263&ssl=1 "Palestinian Christians watch as fireworks light the sky to mark the lighting of a Christmas tree")
Palestinian Christians watch as fireworks light the sky in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on 1 December 2018 [Ahmad Arouri/Apaimages]
![Palestinian Christians watch as fireworks light the sky to mark the lighting of the Christmas tree, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem on 1 December 2018 [Ahmad Arouri/Apaimages]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas-APA011218_AAR_00-12.jpg?w=797&h=531&ssl=1 "Palestinian Christians watch as fireworks light the sky to mark the lighting of a Christmas tree")
Palestinian Christians watch as fireworks light the sky to mark the lighting of the Christmas tree, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem on 1 December 2018 [Ahmad Arouri/Apaimages]
![Palestinian Christians watch as fireworks light the sky to mark the lighting of a Christmas tree on Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem on 1 December 2018 [Wisam Hashlamoun/Apaimages]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas-APA011218_WIH_00-19.jpg?w=596&h=397&ssl=1 "Palestinian Christians watch as fireworks light the sky to mark the lighting of a Christmas tree")
Palestinian Christians watch as fireworks light the sky to mark the lighting of a Christmas tree on Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem on 1 December 2018 [Wisam Hashlamoun/Apaimages]
![Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah attends the lighting of the Christmas tree on December 1, 2018 at the Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity, revered as the site of Jesus Christ's birth, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem. [Prime Minister Office/Apaimages]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas-APA011218_PMO_00-8.jpg?w=596&h=397&ssl=1 "Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah attends the lighting of the Christmas tree")
Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah attends the lighting of the Christmas tree on December 1, 2018 at the Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity, revered as the site of Jesus Christ’s birth, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem. [Prime Minister Office/Apaimages]
![Palestinian Christians watch the Nativity performed as fireworks light the sky to mark the lighting of a Christmas tree at the Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity, revered as the site of Jesus Christ's birth, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem on 1 December 2018 [Wisam Hashlamoun/Apaimages]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-5_bethlehem-christmas-APAnativity.jpg?w=1196&h=797&ssl=1 "2018-12-5_bethlehem christmas APAnativity")
Palestinian Christians watch the Nativity performed as fireworks light the sky to mark the lighting of a Christmas tree at the Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity, revered as the site of Jesus Christ’s birth, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem on 1 December 2018 [Wisam Hashlamoun/Apaimages]