The Holy Land is preparing for the 1946th anniversary of ChristÂs birth in the most warlike atmosphere it has been for many generations. Since the time of Jesus, there has been a succession of Romans, Persians, Arabs, Turks, Crusaders, Tartars, French and British parading past in battle array. Jews and Arabs are wrestling for Palestine with Britain in the role of Âreferee and the rest of the world looking on with mixed feelings. In the streets of Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem can be seen British troops walking the streets as did Roman soldiers centuries ago. Despite all the tensions of present-day PalestineÂs problems, the people living in these cities will celebrate the birth of Christ with color and dignity as has been the custom down the centuries. At Christmas, Bethlehem, whose name is sung in carols the world over, will see the priestly robes of high church dignitaries blending with the colorful garb of BethlehemÂs 10,000 Arabs for the cityÂs biggest day of the year and the most important day in religion for nearly a billion people. The traditional procession of churchmen and worshippers will make the annual pilgrimage to the scene of the Nativity. Beginning at four oÂclock in the afternoon on December 24, constant prayers are said in the Grotto of the Nativity, beside the silver star which marks the actual place of ChristÂs birth and a few yards away at the marble shrine marking the place of the manger where the infant Jesus was laid, wrapped in swaddling clothes. These pictures were taken at hallowed spots along the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem  the road along which the carpenter Joseph of Nazareth and his wife the Virgin Mary traveled 1946 years ago to be taxed in accordance with the decree of Caesar Augustus. Thousands of people, many of them in the uniform of British forces will pass this way for the age-old commemoration of Christmas. Here an Arab woman of Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, whose residents are believed to be interspersed with descendants of the Crusaders, prays beside the shrine Ref #: PA.10207377 Date: 08/12/1946
