The Middle East, particularly the Palestinian-dominated Bethlehem is now catching up with the world in celebration of Christmas. Just recently, this little town in the West Bank which is famous for being the birth place of Jesus Christ, lit up its Christmas tree signaling the start of the Christmas season, even in the Moslem world. Bethlehem is known to be part of the Palestine territory in the Holy land. During the lighting, hundreds of Palestinians gathered around the tree and took part of the lighting celebration with bands and fireworks present. Families with little kids gather around the tree and taking pictures. Nuns and Catholics did the same in partaking with the festivities. Christians and Moslems were present in the said activity. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad pressed a button lighting up the decorations on the 50-foot (15-meter) tree Thursday, along with the lights illuminating the rest of the square outside the Church of the Nativity. Fayyad said Christmas was an opportunity to “celebrate the Palestinian identity of Jesus Christ.”

A general view of Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity, the site revered as the birthplace of Jesus, is seen during the annual lighting ceremony of a Christmas tree in the West Bank town of Bethlehem December 15, 2011.

People watch fireworks during the annual lighting ceremony of a Christmas tree at Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity, the site revered as the birthplace of Jesus, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem December 15, 2011.

Christian nuns take their photos next to a large Christmas tree after it was lit at Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity in West Bank town of Bethlehem,Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011.

A woman photographs a man holding children in front of a decorated Christmas tree during the annual lighting ceremony of the tree at Manger Square in the West Bank town of Bethlehem December 15, 2011.

A Palestinian boy scout marching band plays during the annual lighting ceremony of a Christmas tree at Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity, the site revered as the birthplace of Jesus, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem December 15, 2011.