Traditions of Bethlehem
The town of the Church of the Nativity, with three Christmases and a craft of olive wood and mother of pearl.
Bethlehem is a town in the West Bank where Christian tradition places the birth of Jesus. The Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest churches in use, stands over the grotto. The town's Christians celebrate Christmas on three dates, in December, January and early January, reflecting the Western, Orthodox and Armenian calendars.
Christmas in Bethlehem
On Christmas Eve, a procession of clergy comes from Jerusalem and enters through the narrow Door of Humility. Midnight mass is held in the Church of St. Catherine next door, with hymns and candles. Local craftspeople carve olive wood into nativity scenes and mother-of-pearl pieces, a trade of generations.
At the table
A Palestinian feast includes maqluba, an upside down dish of rice and vegetables or meat, and musakhan, chicken with sumac and onions on taboon bread, olive oil from the hills and za'atar. Sweets include ma'amoul at Easter and kaak, sesame bread rings. Hospitality means tea or coffee at every visit.
Signature traditions of Bethlehem
Also part of it, and being written: Church of the Nativity (The birthplace church.), Maqluba (The upside down rice dish.), Musakhan (The Palestinian chicken and sumac dish.), Palestinian embroidery (The tatreez craft.).
A trail idea for Bethlehem
- Manger Square Visit before dawn on Christmas Eve.
- Milk Grotto A small chapel in the old town.
- Olive wood workshops Watch carvers at work.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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