Bethlehem's one-day Christmas Market helps buoy people's spirits

Published: 2007-12-04

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) -- Just like the local traffic winding its way slowly up toward Nativity Square, Bethlehem is filled with a feeling of stagnation and uncertainty. Even the rain pelting down on the Christmas Market shoppers in Nativity Square Dec. 2 is not steady as it comes in fits and starts, leaving people unsure whether to run for shelter or to continue their shopping. "Things are more calm here politically than in other Palestinian cities, but economically the situation is worse. People here depend on tourism and that is not good now," said Shireen, a 26-year-old Catholic who used only her first name. Her 29-year-old Catholic friend, Rula Sammour, noted that the late-November Middle East peace conference in Annapolis, Md., has given people a bit of hope things will begin to move again after a long time of feeling stuck. But as the Christmas season begins, the annual, one-day Christmas Market buoys people's spirits. Vendors from Norway offer free tastes of Norwegian cheese, salami and salmon wraps; young Danes wearing Santa hats man a booth selling Danish toys. Greek baked goods, Italian pottery, Egyptian Christmas decorations and South African wooden carvings are on sale.

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