Christmas in the Holy Land: One Mystery, Many Celebrations
- Notre Dame of Jerusalem
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
By Fr. David Barton L.C.
December 8th - Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center
For most Christians around the world, Christmas arrives on December 25th. Here in the Holy Land, however, the joy of Christ’s Nativity unfolds across several weeks. In this land where the Word became flesh, Christmas is not just a date on a calendar but rather a tapestry of traditions woven by the many Christian communities who call this place home.
Latin (Roman Catholic) and Western Traditions
December 24–25
At the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Christmas Eve begins with the entrance of the Latin Patriarch, accompanied by scouts playing drums and bagpipes—a unique blend of Middle Eastern color and European custom. Midnight Mass is celebrated in the grotto above the very spot where Christ was born. Pilgrims pack Manger Square, singing carols in dozens of languages. In parishes across Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Galilee, the Latin rite communities celebrate with festive liturgies, pilgrimages, and visits to local Christian families.
At the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem, we will light our Christmas tree in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio on December 13th. We will also have beautiful liturgies both on Christmas Eve and during Christmas day to help those who live here to experience the joy of the newborn King.
Greek Orthodox and Most Eastern Orthodox Traditions
January 6–7
Because the Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and most Eastern Orthodox churches in the Holy Land follow the Julian calendar for feasts, Christmas falls 13 days later—on January 7th (the Eve on January 6th). Their celebrations are rich in chant, incense, and ancient liturgical beauty.
On Orthodox Christmas Eve, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch enters Bethlehem in a solemn procession, following a similar tradition to the Latin Patriarch. The faithful fill the church for an all-night vigil—hours of psalms, hymns, and the magnificent Byzantine proclamation: “Christ is born! Glorify Him!”
Homes are blessed by priests in the days after Christmas, and families share the traditional kanun (sweetened wheat), symbolizing life and resurrection. Some communities maintain strict fasting until the first star appears on Christmas Eve, in remembrance of the star that led the Magi.
Armenian Apostolic Tradition
January 18–19
The Armenians of Jerusalem, who follow the ancient practice of celebrating both Christmas and the Baptism of the Lord together, keep Christmas on January 19th. Their celebration begins with a solemn entry of the Armenian Patriarch into Bethlehem on January 18th, followed by liturgy in the Nativity Grotto.
In the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem, the streets fill with the sound of traditional hymns as clergy bless the homes with holy water. On the feast day, the bishop draws water into a basin during the Divine Liturgy, recalling Christ’s baptism in the Jordan. This “Blessing of the Water” is a central and deeply beloved tradition.
A Land Where Christmas Never Truly Ends
One of the quiet blessings of living and ministering in the Holy Land is experiencing this extended season of joy. From December 24th to January 19th, the streets of Bethlehem and Jerusalem echo again and again with the proclamation that changed history: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
Despite differences in calendar and custom, Christians here bear witness to the same mystery—God entering our world in humility, drawing all peoples to Himself. In a land so often marked by tension and suffering, these celebrations are a yearly sign of hope. They remind us that the light which shone in Bethlehem still shines today, and “the darkness has not overcome it.”
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