Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, (centre), holds the Baby Jesus as he and clergy arrive to pray at the Grotto, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, at the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, early Tuesday Dec 25,2012
Pilgrims celebrated Christmas Day Mass in the ancient Bethlehem church where tradition holds Jesus was born, candles illuminating the sacred site and joyous prayer filling its halls.
A view of Manger Square and the Chruch of the Nativity as people gather for Christmas eve celebrations in the biblical West Bank city of Bethlehem
Christmas parade outside the Church of Nativity
Latin Patriarch Fuad Twal blesses the crowd outside the Church of the Nativity
About the Church of Nativity
The Church of the Nativity is a Basilica located in Behtlehem,Palestine and is considered to be the oldest continuously operating Christian church in the World.
The Latin word basilica was originally used to describe a Roman public building .erm was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes.
The church was originally commissioned in 326 AD by Constantine and his mother Helena over the site that is still traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth.
The site, completed in 565 A D, is considered sacred by those of both the Christian and Muslim faiths.
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