European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 21, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The world focuses on Bethlehem a do Fri choirs from a rotund he world will per Lorrn at Manger Square in Bethle Hemon Christmas five. It Marks the High Point of Tho can slams season As thousands of tourists ind pilgrims gather at the plan in front of the Church of the nativity to celebrate the birth of Jesus for three hour ,. Trie choirs will sing. Then. At Midnight the latin pontifical High mass will beam inside the  of is Catherine and will be transmitted to the Square on closed circuit television the choirs will perform nil Over Israel both before and after chnslin.i1. And there will be a choir Marathon at the Jerusalem i Heater on the evening of dec. 25. A few Days inter from dec. 28, Jerusalem will again Host the traditional i it Grgica week to be held in the City s two main concert Halls As Well As at the Dominion Abbey on top of my Ion. Overlooking the old City the Bell Tower of a Church overlooks the place where Jesus was born. A Silver Star Marki jews Birthplace. During this time. 10 concerts will be performed by or a known artists from Israel and abroad. Just As the three Wise men once journeyed front the East bearing gilts for the infant Jesus most visitors approach Bethlehem from Jerusalem. Travelling a circuitous route the visitors pass through the mis of Judea where Olive Trees Dot the craggy landscape the scene seems to have changed Little in the past  years. Bethlehem an amalgamation of modern and ancient has Many r Hines and sacred Sites. The Church of the nativity is the Central focus for Christmas eve. Three denominations share this ancient Church greek orthodox. Roman Catholic and armenian altars and chapels Are there built in the 4th Century the Church of the nativity is one of the finest remaining byzantine churches four rows of Limestone columns dominate the Interior and wooden crosses donated by pilgrims throughout the centuries decorate the Church. A narrow stairway Cut into Stone before the Central altar leads to the Grotto of nativity. Seventeen Lam which Burn Day and night illuminate a a Point Silver Star which is set in the floor saturday december 21. 1985 to Mark the spot where Jesus was born me to the Grotto the Chapel of Tho Manger is a tiny cubicle whose precious jewels Oil Lams mosaics and Costi hangings stand in tribute to the nativity site White some visitors know that the name Bethlehem r derived from either the hebrew meaning House of Erotido the arabic meaning House of it a. Few Are aware of the most historical significance of pilgrimage to this site. Bethlehem was deemed a holy town More than 1,boo years before the birth of Jesus when it was sanctified in the Bible As the final resting place of Rachel wife of the patriarch Jacob. The Book of Ruth records that it was in the Fields surrounding Bethlehem that Ruth met and fell in love with Boaz. Ruth War. The great grandmother of David who was born in Bethlehem and later was called from there to become a great King of Israel. In modern times the world focuses on Bethlehem on dec. 24, each year solemn processions headed by Church leaders make the four mile journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem in shepherds Field just outside the town protestant congregations gather for Christmas eve services Israel tourist office the stars and stripes Page 13