Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
December 24, 2007

Palestinians Celebrate Christmas Eve With Festive March Through
---------------------------------------------------------------
Bethlehem
---------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1AB0C4A:A6F02AD83191E160B0B544A6F8104B3A2A201403E89ED254& Palestinian boy
and girl scouts marched past Church of the Nativity, traditional
birthplace of Jesus, playing drums and bagpipes Palestinians in
Jerusalem marched through the streets of Bethlehem Monday celebrating
the Eve of Christmas, the day before the traditional birth of Jesus
Christ. Robert Berger is in Bethlehem and filed this on-scene report.







Palestinian Christian children wear festive costumes as they gather
behind a barrier outside the Church of the Nativity, 24 Dec
2007Palestinian boy and girl scouts are marched through Manger
Square in Bethlehem, kicking off Christmas Eve celebrations. They
marched past the Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of
Jesus, playing drums and bagpipes.

It was a festive atmosphere. Manger Square is decked out with
Christmas Trees that light and colorful balloons.

On a cool, sunny day a big crowd is looking on, including some
pilgrims, but mostly local Palestinians. Christmas Eve celebrations
will culminate with midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity.


.