This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7799464.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Christian Churches mark Christmas Bethlehem pilgrims mark Christmas
(about 2 hours later)
Pilgrims have been streaming into the Palestinian town of Bethlehem as most of the Christian world celebrates Christmas. Thousands of pilgrims have been celebrating Christmas with a mass in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, amid tight security.
Officials in what is traditionally regarded as Christ's birthplace say that annual visitor numbers are at their highest in nearly a decade. They include about 200 Christians from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, whom Israel granted permission to make the journey to Bethlehem.
A relative lull in violence in the Middle East seems to have encouraged pilgrims to return to the "Holy Land". Pope Benedict XVI has been leading the traditional celebration of Midnight Mass at the Vatican.
Most of the planet's 2.1 billion Christians mark Christmas this week. Most of the world's 2.1 billion Christians mark Christmas this week.
Others, chiefly from among the 200 million Orthodox Christians who use the Julian Calendar for their feast days, celebrate the Nativity on 7 January.Others, chiefly from among the 200 million Orthodox Christians who use the Julian Calendar for their feast days, celebrate the Nativity on 7 January.
Across the world, believers are attending Christmas Eve church services and, in some countries, families are gathering for a traditional festive dinner at midnight. Across the world, believers are attending Christmas church services and, in some countries, families gather for a traditional festive dinner at midnight on Christmas Eve.
'Explosion of love''Explosion of love'
Visitor numbers to Bethlehem this year have been more than double the number in 2007 and their highest since 2000. Visitor numbers this year to Bethlehem - traditionally regarded as Christ's birthplace - have been more than double the number in 2007 and their highest since 2000.
Bethlehem is like the soul of the universe Stefano Croce Italian fashion photographer Bethlehem diaryChristmas dollars in HarareHi-tech helps track Santa ClausBethlehem is like the soul of the universe Stefano Croce Italian fashion photographer Bethlehem diaryChristmas dollars in HarareHi-tech helps track Santa Claus
Extra Palestinian security personnel have been sent to Bethlehem from the West Bank towns of Ramallah and Jericho to safeguard visitors.
Correspondents in the town met elated pilgrims, gathering around nightfall outside the Church of the Nativity, considered the traditional birthplace of Jesus.Correspondents in the town met elated pilgrims, gathering around nightfall outside the Church of the Nativity, considered the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
A dozen believers from India, Canada, Britain, the US and other countries sung impromptu renditions of Christmas carols, the Associated Press reports.A dozen believers from India, Canada, Britain, the US and other countries sung impromptu renditions of Christmas carols, the Associated Press reports.
US citizen David Bogenrief, 57, played the trumpet, telling a gaggle of local children who were listening: "Jesus was the prince of peace, and he can bring that peace to you. We pray for you."US citizen David Bogenrief, 57, played the trumpet, telling a gaggle of local children who were listening: "Jesus was the prince of peace, and he can bring that peace to you. We pray for you."
In Manger Square, vendors sold roasted peanuts and Santa Claus hats to the crowds, among whom were some local Muslims out enjoying the annual international fuss over their town.In Manger Square, vendors sold roasted peanuts and Santa Claus hats to the crowds, among whom were some local Muslims out enjoying the annual international fuss over their town.
A little girl is hugged by Santa Claus at Macy's department store, New York Correspondents say a relative lull in violence in the Middle East seems to have encouraged pilgrims to return to the "Holy Land".
These Chinese Catholics attended a Christmas Eve service in Sichuan
"Bethlehem is like the soul of the universe, and it's like an explosion of love here," said Italian fashion photographer Stefano Croce, 46."Bethlehem is like the soul of the universe, and it's like an explosion of love here," said Italian fashion photographer Stefano Croce, 46.
Elsa Marie Kierkegaard, a Dane who converted to Roman Catholicism five years ago, was a little taken aback by what she felt was crass commercialism.Elsa Marie Kierkegaard, a Dane who converted to Roman Catholicism five years ago, was a little taken aback by what she felt was crass commercialism.
"It's like one big market," she told the AFP news agency, looking at the food stands, garlands of lights, synthetic pine trees and inflatable Santas."It's like one big market," she told the AFP news agency, looking at the food stands, garlands of lights, synthetic pine trees and inflatable Santas.
But for Mexican priest Eduardo Robles Gil it was "really very special to be in Bethlehem on the day we celebrate Christmas, it is a very emotional moment".But for Mexican priest Eduardo Robles Gil it was "really very special to be in Bethlehem on the day we celebrate Christmas, it is a very emotional moment".
Pope Benedict XVI ushered in Christmas at the Vatican as he led the traditional celebration of Midnight Mass in St Peter's Basilica.
Thousands of pilgrims and tourists were packed inside for the midnight service.
For those unable to enter, giant screens were set up in St Peter's Square.
Earlier, Pope Benedict appeared at his studio window to bless the crowd and light a single candle in a sign of peace.