Bethlehem begins Christmas festivities

Festivities begin in the West Bank town of Bethlehem ahead of Christmas Eve celebrations.
Christians congregate here at the Nativity Church which marks the place where Jesus was born.
The Church is shared by Eastern denominations who celebrate Christmas on January 7th, and the Catholic church who mark the day on December 25th.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem arrived at Manger Square ahead of midnight mass which he will lead.
One pilgrim from Jerusalem said she came because of the unique atmosphere.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MIRANA SYRIANI, PILGRIM FROM JERUSALEM:
"Bethlehem differs a lot from Jerusalem because of the Nativity Church where Jesus was born. In Jerusalem the atmosphere and the people there are not happy because of the occupation, whereas Bethlehem is very nice, we are very happy here."
The Eastern Churches that celebrate Christmas at this time of year include the ancient Assyrian Church, the Greek Orthodox, the Armenian and the Coptic Church.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.