Cities such as Ramallah, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour have sizable Palestinian Christian populations of several different denominations which contributes to the diversity of these cities.
If you would’ve asked me just before embarking on my journey when Christmas is, I would’ve given a definite answer of December 25. I wouldn't have thought twice that my answer may not be true for everyone. This assumption is likely because that is what is considered the norm in the United States, especially since the U.S. operates on the Gregorian calendar which designates Christmas on the 25th of December. However, many of these assumptions that I about Christianity have shifted. I've realized that I still have a lot to learn about elements of Christianity.
This realization was sparked by two different lenses of Christianity I have learned about since being in the Palestinian Territories that I had never considered before nor understood. First, I am in a place where the major sect of Christianity practiced is Eastern Orthodoxy as opposed to Western Christianity, which is popular in the Americas and most of Europe. Second, unlike in the U.S. where Christianity is the majority religion, Christianity in the Palestinian Territories is a minority religion. Therefore, looking and learning about Christianity from these two different perspectives have been incredibly enlightening and have broadened my perspectives on things that I thought I had already known.
The first time I realized there was a difference in what I knew about Christianity was in September, just a couple of weeks into my journey.
