Christmas decorations in Jerusalem's Old City

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Ahmad Gharabli AFP via Getty Images

Tree Lighting Illuminates the Old City and Brings Smiles to Faces

The Christian community in Jerusalem rang in the Christmas season with a tree lighting, fireworks, and other festivities in the New Gate area, bringing joy to those in attendance and illuminating the Old City.

Families enjoy a tree lighting ceremony in Jerusalem's Old City 2022

Families showed up decked out in Christmas apparel for the tree-lighting ceremony in Jerusalem’s Old City on December 11, 2022.

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Mustafa al-Kharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Bagpipers parade in the Old City of Jerusalem during a Christmas celebration

Bagpipers parade in the Old City of Jerusalem during a tree-lighting ceremony in Jerusalem’s Old City, December 11, 2022.

Credit: 

Mustafa al-Kharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Families and religious officials attend a tree-lighting ceremony in the Old City of Jerusalem

Families and religious officials share in the joy of the Christmas season at a tree-lighting ceremony in the Old City of Jerusalem, December 11, 2022.

Credit: 

Mustafa al-Kharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Christmas festivities in Jerusalem's Old City photographed from the rooftops above

Credit: 

Ahmad Gharabli AFP via Getty Images

Christmas festivities in Jerusalem's Old City photographed from the rooftops above

Credit: 

Ahmad Gharabli AFP via Getty Images

Fireworks illuminate the sky to mark the Christmas tree lighting inside Jerusalem's Old City, December 11, 2022.

Fireworks light the sky to mark the lighting of the Christmas tree inside the Old City of Jerusalem on December 11, 2022.

Credit: 

Ahmad Gharabli AFP via Getty Images

Christmas tree and lights at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Centre, a guesthouse for pilgrims, at the St Louis French Hospital in the Old City of Jerusalem

A view of the Christmas tree and lights at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Centre, a guesthouse for pilgrims, at the St Louis French Hospital in the Old City of Jerusalem, December 11, 2022.

Credit: 

Ahmad Gharabli AFP via Getty Images

A woman and children pose for a photo before a manger scene in the Old City of Jerusalem

A woman and children pose for a photo before a manger scene at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Centre, a guesthouse for pilgrims, at the St Louis French Hospital in the Old City of Jerusalem on December 11, 2022.

Credit: 

Ahmad Gharabli AFP via Getty Images

Fireworks illuminate the sky to mark the Christmas tree lighting inside Jerusalem's Old City, December 11, 2022.

Fireworks illuminate the sky to mark the lighting of the Christmas tree inside the Old City of Jerusalem on December 11, 2022.

Credit: 

Mustafa al-Kharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images