years. that is where the christian resides. thank you very much, merry christmas to you. merry christmas to you. the biblical city of bethlehem is brimming with festivities as christmas around the world, christians around th world celebrate christmas day. mary chrisman from vatican city to bethlehem and thousands of cities in between. people kicked off christmas wit religious traditions and celebrations on monday night pope francis led the traditiona christmas eve mass at st. peter s basilica. the pope focusing his on wester consumerism asking how much of the material they buy is actually needed while they condemn the growing gap between the rich and the board. the pope addressed a crowd of more than 1,000 people from the balcony of st. peter s basilica.