Coronavirus Dampens Christmas Joy in Bethlehem and Elsewhere Subdued scenes were seen across the world as the festive family gatherings and packed prayers that typically mark the holiday were scaled back or canceled altogether By Josef Federman and Jalal Hassan •
Published December 24, 2020 •
Updated on December 24, 2020 at 6:47 pm
NBCUniversal Media, LLC
Bethlehem on Thursday ushered in Christmas Eve with a stream of joyous marching bands and the triumphant arrival of the top Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land, but few people were there to greet them as the coronavirus pandemic and a strict lockdown dampened celebrations in the traditional birthplace of Jesus.