Christmas in Bethlehem

Nobody knows exactly when Jesus was born. Since olden days the Eastern Church remembered the coming of the saviour on January 6th. In the west this day is the day of the feast of the three kings. It was in Rome that the 25th of December became the feast day of the birth of Christ. Because of their refusal to accept the Gregorian calendar the Armenians celebrate Christmas on January 18th.

On December 24th the Roman Catholic Church and the protestant churches celebrate Christmas Eve. The holiday begins at 11 am when political and church dignitaries make their way to Rachel’s grave in order to meet the Latin Patriarch from Jerusalem. Then follows a long procession in which groups of pathfinders accompany the patriarch to the Manger Square. Then an official Welcome is said at which Franciscans and siminarists attend in liturgical vestment. In the evening choirs are singing and there are fireworks at the Manger Square. The climax is the Roman-Catholic Mass in St. Catherine’s church. During the night many other masses are celebrated in the cave of the nativity.

On January 6th and 18th the Christmas celebration of the orthodox, Coptic and Armenian church takes a similar course.

The Olive tree, symbol of Hope and Peace

The olive tree, symbol is ideally suited to the landscape around Bethlehem. It needs only little earth for its roots and survives on the smallest quantities of water. It belongs to the family of KONIFEREN. The lifetime of an olive tree amounts to several generations. Olive trees several hundred of years old are nothing unusual. So this tree is a symbol for the close ties of the Palestinian people with their land.

The olive harvest is one of the highlights of the year. Already in September when the fruits are gradually ripening, people start with their preparations, often persons are employed to guard the trees.

The harvest itself takes during several weeks in October. The whole family is involved so that school children are allowed off school during this time. Following tradition tents are pitched in the olive groves. For harvesting the men climb into the trees, pick the olives from the branches and drop them. At the end of the harvest there is a harvest thanksgiving celebration. This celebration goes back to the times of Canaanites, was continued by the Jews in the form of the Sukkah – festival and spread in Europe and America as harvest Thanksgiving.

The olives are then eaten fresh or conserved in salted water, extract of limes or wine vinegar. Another part of the harvest is put into the olive press where it is made into oil. This process consists of several stages. First a large stone wheel turned by oxen or asses is used to crush the fruit. Then the pulp is filled into sacks, heavy weights are put on the sacks to press out the oil.

The first oil that comes out, the virgin oil is used for cooking. Olive oil is further used for cosmetics and in medicine, also as required in religious usage and as lamp fuel. The olive tree thus serves man in various ways. Due to the great importance of the olive tree is also serves as a symbol in different areas of human life. When people suffer hard times by suppression under a foreign power they are like olives in the press. On the other hand the olive branch has been seen as a symbol of hope and peace since Noah survived in the arc.

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