Lisa McQuery, Linga Reporter

On Saturday, December 6th, 2014, Bethlehem celebrated the birth and coming of the world’s Savior and our Lord Jesus Christ, with the lighting of the Christmas tree. The occasion was attended by Prime Minister Rami Praise, the President of the Bethlehem Municipality Mrs. Vera Papon, Cardinal Jwaltiero Pasia and many well-known personalities. 

Prime Minister Rami Praise said about the event, that the Christmas tree is a message to the world that there should be solidarity amongst all people, and that we should all take responsibility for protecting and taking care of religious shrines. 

The head of the Bethlehem Municipality, Ms. Vera Papon conducted the lighting of the tree, and at the same time as the United Nations announced its support for the Palestinian people, she likewise said that not only do the United Nations celebrate this occasion but so do all of  the other nations of the world.   

With a grand smile upon all of their faces, a large number of people turned out for the occasion, surpassing the number originally anticipated, with a total of more than 3,000 visitors at the event. Not just Christians in attendance of the celebration but people from other religions also turned out to enjoy the occasion.