The Mayor of Bethlehem Maher Canawati delivered a message of hope and peace on the morning of the Eve of Christmas on Wednesday (December 24).

"And we're sending this message to the whole world. And we tell them Bethlehem is safe. And the people of Bethlehem and the living stones of this amazing land are waiting for all of you to come and walk the streets of Bethlehem and make the Bible alive. Merry Christmas and see you all in Bethlehem." added Canawati.

Police officers filled the square in preparations for the festive day and the arrival of the Patriarch to the Church of the Nativity.

The Palestinian city, revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus, had refrained from public Christmas celebrations over the past two years as war raged in Gaza.

But as a precarious ceasefire in Gaza enters its second month, the city is anticipated to hold a festive celebration marking the day with marching bands and decorations, and the return of worshippers from around the world to mark this year's Christmas from the holy city.

Most years, Bethlehem basks in the central place it holds in the Christian story of Jesus' life. He was born there in a stable because there was no room for his parents at the inn and was placed in an animal's manger, the humblest of all possible beds.

Some 2,000 years later, pilgrims usually flock to the reputed location of that stable in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.

Although Gaza is some 60 km (37 miles) from Bethlehem, the war has painfully affected Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Many have family and friends in Gaza, and the war has shrivelled the tourism that Bethlehem's economy relies on.

Also in Bethlehem, the concrete barricades of the barrier erected by Israel around parts of the city have become a canvas for graffiti.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. (NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF MUNICIPALITY WORKER CLEANING IN MANGER SQUARE IN EARLY MORNING HOURS
2. (NIGHT SHOT) CROSS ON CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY IN BETHLEHEM
3. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF DRONE FOOTAGE OVER MANGER SQUARE AND CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY DURING SUNRISE
4. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF DRONE FOOTAGE OF SUN RISING OVER BETHLEHEM
5. MAYOR OF BETHLEHEM, MAHER CANAWATI WALKING IN MANGER SQUARE
6. CROSS WORN BY CANAWATI
7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MAYOR OF BETHLEHEM, MAHER CANAWATI, SAYING: "Good morning from the town of Christ. Today is Christmas and the message of Christmas is the message of hope and the message of peace. And we're sending this message to the whole world. And we tell them Bethlehem is safe. And the people of Bethlehem and the living stones of this amazing land are waiting for all of you to come and walk the streets of Bethlehem and make the Bible alive. Merry Christmas and see you all in Bethlehem."
8. PILGRIMS WALKING IN MANGER SQUARE
9. PALESTINIAN POLICE OFFICERS IN MANGER SQUARE
10. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT OF BETHLEHEM, AMEEN ABU KAMEL, SAYING: "We are happy today, especially since we have been suffering for a while from the pains and tragedies of war, especially for our people in Gaza. We ask God to spread safety, security and stability for them, and we hope that all the people of the world to consider the people of Gaza."
11. POLICE OFFICERS IN MANGER SQUARE / DOVES ON THE GROUND
12. SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM VIETNAM, LIVING IN THE U.S, LILY TRAN, SAYING: "I feel so excited, I feel so happy. And, you know, like, I really, was ready for 25 year, I really want to come here. But I didn't have chance to come here. But I like today (Inaudible) for this month to come here because after the war for two years and I'm so excited and so happy."
13. WORSHIPPERS AT MANGER SQUARE
14. DOVES IN SQUARE
15. VARIOUS OF PALESTINIAN POLICE OFFICERS PREPARING FOR CELEBRATIONS IN SQUARE