A man puts his hands on the Star of Bethlehem, which marks the site where Jesus is believed to have been born. Noga Tarnopolsky / For The TimesChristmas in Bethlehem is a spare, beautiful business. Like a sunrise in Hawaii, it is unaccompanied by any embellishment of common Yuletide fripperies like mistletoe or honey-roasted ham. Noga Tarnopolsky / For The TimesMass’ad, the Catholic parish priest of Beit Jala, a village that lies between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, is a vigorous, sturdy man with twinkling eyes. Noga Tarnopolsky / For The Times“Amen,” repeated the small flock, which included two assistants, four nuns and half a dozen or so lay worshipers.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 26, 2017 01:41 UTC