Worshipers walk through the main hall of Church of the Nativity. (Abed Al Hafiz Hashlamoun / EPA)
Visitors touch the 14-point silver star in the Grotto of the Nativity. (Jim Hollander / EPA)
A Christian pilgrim kneels in prayer in the central nave of the church. (Jim Hollander / EPA)
A Palestinian police officer relaxes against a marble pillar in the Bethlehem church. (David Silverman / Getty Images)
Pre-Christmas visitors to the storied Church of the Nativity gather around a lighted Christmas tree. (Musa Al-Shaer / AFP/Getty Images)
