Holy Land prepares for subdued Christmas
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Pablo Duer and Joan Mas Autonell
Jerusalem, Dec 23 (efe-epa).- On Thursday, the Holy Land will mark what will surely be the most subdued Christmas ever, with borders closed to foreigners and the painful absence of Christian pilgrims who usually celebrate the birth of Jesus in Jerusalem and Bethlehem at this time of year.
The coronavirus and related restrictions will make for an unprecedented Christmas celebration: the surroundings of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem – where according to tradition Jesus Christ was born – are almost completely empty.
Although the traditional decorations are still there, such as the radiant Christmas tree, the atmosphere is ghostly silent compared to the joyful atmosphere and crowded streets of years gone by.