"Christmas was when Jesus was born, his birthday.

VOA: special.2009.12.21

And even though historically there's no indication that Jesus Christ was born in December, that's just the day that has traditionally been used to celebrate the birth of the Son of God on Earth.

VOA: special.2009.12.21

The celebrations took place outside the ancient Church of the Nativity, where tradition says Jesus was born.

VOA: standard.2009.12.25

When was Jesus born?

ECONOMIST: Jesus

But there were also wider expressions of universal fellowship in the town where Jesus was born, keeping with the spirit of the season.

CNN: Muslims, Christians celebrate in Bethlehem

In Bethlehem itself, Christmas Eve Mass was celebrated at the 1, 700-year-old Church of the Nativity, on the spot where it is believed Jesus was born.

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