Perpetual Christmas

This morning was a beautiful, though warm day in Bethlehem (80s, not a cloud in the sky, as usual). 

As I trotted off to Mass in the Grotto of the Nativity, I had no idea what awaited me...

Until I saw the white vestments. And heard the Gloria (I can make it out in Italian now). And then the gospel reading was the genealogy of Christ. And I realized: Merry Christmas. 

I didn't know before coming to the Holy Land that it is permitted to celebrate a special day's Mass when in the place where it happened. For example, at the  Basilica of the Annunciation, you can have Mass for the Annunciation any day of the year. And, therefore, in the Grotto of the Nativity, you can celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas, any day of the year.  So, for the second time in the last three weeks, Merry Christmas.

Venite adoremus!

EDIT 6/27: It's been Christmas three times this week! Also, some of my friends who run a souvenir business tell me they are really busy right now because of the Christmas rush. Rush, I ask? Apparently they start taking orders for the next Christmas season around February. Talk about perpetual Christmas!