Christmas Eve in Bethlehem: a new Christmas is here
2016-12-24 20:05:43
A new Christmas is here. A new December 25th is here to once again give the world the unimaginable promise:
During Christmas Eve, thousands of people gathered in Manger Square in Bethlehem, in the heart of Palestine, to celebrate.
"Bethlehem is not a capital - Pope Francis said in the general audience on Wednesday December 21 - and this is why Bethlehem was chosen by the divine providence.” God loves to work through the small and humble."
RANDA SRUJI
Nazaret
"We celebrate Christmas here in Bethlehem, because this is the actual Christmas town. Hence the light came into the world. We came from Nazareth where the announcement that continued onto Bethlehem came from."
GIOVANNI MARRONE
Italy
“Mons. Pierbattista Pizzaballa and I come from the same country. This year, I wanted to come here to celebrate Christmas in a special way. I twant to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone.”
In the morning, Mons. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, in his first year as Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, left the holy city to make his official debut in Bethlehem, after the traditional stop at Mar Elias Monastery.
Dozens of groups of scouts and thousands of celebrating faithful preceded him and the civil and religious authorities welcomed him.
GUZMAN
Spain
“In Spain we sing many Christmas songs about Bethlehem and the whole world talks about it, so being here is a very special experience: celebrating Christmas with Muslim people, Christians and people of all religions (is a unique experience) ... I hope the whole world keeps, in some way, the Christmas spirit. ”
“Being here today and participating in this celebration with our Christian brothers is a great event for us. It also gives my children a chance to participate and a reminder that we are all brothers and sisters, a chance to share this gesture, the joy and happiness of this day and of the other Christian festivities.”
. God walks with us and walking with Him toward the fullness of life gives us the strength to live in the present, no matter how demanding it is.
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