For those of you interested in visiting Bethlehem this Christmas, here is a list of the various events (for all faiths) that will happen over the Christmas period. Even if you’re not religious, some of these will surely tickle your fancy if you’re here in the Holy Land during Christmas.
Don’t forget to check out our Christmas section for seasonal goodies, including a great article on the Church of the Nativity, where many of the events listed below take place.
Christmas Eve, December 24 (Thursday)
1.00 pm at the Tomb of Rachel: His Beatitude, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twall, is welcomed by Latin Parish Priest of Bethlehem and representatives of Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour.
1.30 pm at the Manger Square: Solemn Entry of His Beatitude into the Basilica of the Nativity and St. Catherine Church followed by Pontifical Vespers.
4.00 pm at St. Catherine Church: Daily Procession to the Nativity Grotto.
10.00 pm at St. Catherine Church: is opened. Tickets, free of charge, required.
11.10 pm at St. Catherine Church: Solemn “Office of Readings”.
Christmas Day, December 25 (Friday)
Midnight: at St. Catherine Church, Pontifical Eucharistic Con-celebration.
Midnight: at the Grotto: Low Masses till 5.15 pm with interruption at 1.30 am for one hour approximately, and at 5.30 am till 7.00 am approximately.
1.30 am at St. Catherine Church: Solemn traditional Procession to the Grotto.
10.00 am at St. Catherine Church: Chanting of Terce and Pontifical Mass.
2.00 pm Pilgrimage to the Orthodox Grotto of the Shepherds and the Latin Chapel of Shepherds’ Field.
December 26 (Saturday)
10.00 am at St. Catherine Church: Mass.
December 27 (Sunday)
5.15 pm at St. Catherine Church: Procession to the Grotto of the Holy Innocents and Sung Vespers.
December 28 (Monday, Feast of the Holy Innocents)
6.30 am at St. Catherine: Masses at 6.30, 7.30 am, 9.00 am, 11.00 am and 4.30 pm.
10.00 am in the Grotto of the Holy Innocents Sung Mass.
3.00 pm in the Grotto of the Holy Innocents: Vespers.
December 31 (Thursday)
4.30 pm at St. Catherine Church: Mass and Benediction with the Holy Sacrament.
January 1 (Friday)
10.00 am at St. Catherine Church: Low Masses followed by Procession to the Milk Grotto.
4.30 pm at St. Catherine Church: Mass.
January 4 (Monday)
6.30 am at St. Catherine: Masses at 6.30, 7.30 am, 9.00 am, 11.00 am.
3:00 pm at the Latin Chapel of Shepherds’ Field: High Mass.
January 5 (Tuesday)
11.00 am at the Tomb of Rachel: His Paternity the Custos of the Holy Land is welcomed by Latin Parish Priest and other representatives of Bethlehem.
11.30 am at the Manger Square: Solemn Entry of his Paternity the Custos of the Holy Land into the Basilica of the Nativity and St. Catherine Church.
1.30 pm at St. Catherine Church: Pontifical Vespers and Procession to the Grotto.
3.30 pm at St. Catherine Church: Procession to the Grotto.
January 6 (Thursday)
Midnight at the Grotto: Masses till 9.00 am with an interruption between 1.00 and 2.00 am approximately.
10.00 am at St. Catherine Church: Pontifical Eucharistic Concelebration.
3.30 pm at St. Catherine Church: Sung Vespers and Solemn traditional Procession to the Grotto.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!