The city of Beit Sahour, known as the Shepherds Field where, according to the Bible, the angel appeared to the Shepherded and asked them to follow the star to Bethlehem, started Christmas decorations and preparations in order to ensure a joyful and peace Christmas in the city of peace.The main preparations started several days ago and the city is being lit, wearing its Christmas coat of love, peace and joy.
Hani Hayek, the mayor of Beit Sahour, said that Christmas is a religious and a national celebration and added that the municipality is conducting the utmost efforts to prepare the city in order to welcome all tourists, worshipers and visitors from every corner of the world.
Hayek added that Palestinian Prime Minister, Dr. Salaam Fayyad, will light the Christmas tree in the city on December 20, and that this will be the beginning of ongoing celebrations throughout the Christmas period.
Part of the celebration will be the announcement of several vital projects including a sports hall, a peoples market, and other projects that would be implemented during the coming year. The estimated cost of the projects is 7 Million USD.
Hayek further stated that the Palestinian government in the West Bank allocated 50.000 Dollars for decorating Bethlehem in addition to financial support from The United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
He said that the celebrations in Beit Sahour are part of the celebrations in Bethlehem and that the Annual Candle Procession would be held on December 25.
The mayor thanked the European Union and Japan for their generous support, and also thanked the Council of Churches.
The Candle Procession is mainly organized by the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement (PCR), The Holy Land Trust, and the Alternative Tourism Center (ATG).
