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Show HOLD CHRISTMAS IN BETHLEHEM All Bethlehem turns out on December De-cember 24 for the arrival of the Patriarch Pa-triarch of Jerusalem Cardinal of the Holy Land who each year brings to Bethlehem an ancient effigy ef-figy of the Infant Jesus, which be lays In the manger within the oave where Christ was born. Dramatically the procession approaches; ap-proaches; heralded by a single horseman, his banner atreamlng aloft. A corps of native police mounted upon fiery Arabian horses follows, and then another single horseman upon a prancing black steed carrying the cross en high; the patriarch In his cardinal and ermine, mitred bishops, clergy In embroidered vestments and white robed acolytes swinging golden censersprecede cen-sersprecede the Jeweled pavilion of the nely Child. The procession enters the Church of the Nativity. The publlo Is not permitted to witness the actual placing plac-ing of the effigy, as that part of the church built above the Cave of the Nativity is under the Jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox church. On Christmas Eve, members of all denominations assemble to sing carols above the birthplace of the Holy Child before midnight mass Is solemnised In the Church of the Nativity. |