30,000 brave bad weather, checkpoints to mark Christmas in Bethlehem

Published: 2005-12-27

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) -- Even the rains and strong winds of the first winter storm did not dampen the spirits of pilgrims and locals as they celebrated Christmas in a more upbeat way than in recent years. Approximately 30,000 visitors streamed into Bethlehem this year. Since the latest intifada, or Palestinian uprising, began in 2000, related violence had deterred pilgrims from visiting, and most of the foreigners in Bethlehem at Christmas were members of the diplomatic corps, employees of nongovernmental organizations and foreign workers living in Israel. This year, pilgrims and tourists came. "I think it would be much colder if I were not so excited about attending midnight Mass in Bethlehem," said Brian Piper, 20, a student at a college in Houston and a member of the Lake Charles Diocese in Louisiana. "I anticipate it won't be something I'll forget and will probably mean more and more as I reflect on it and share it with my family and friends."

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