Despite the political tensions, tens of thousands of pilgrims will be in Bethlehem this Christmas. Louise Cowley examines the evidence for the Church of the Nativity being the exact location where Christ was born Every Christmas, pilgrims undertake the trip to the traditional site of the birth of Christ, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. However, a shadow has been cast in recent times as to whether the Bethlehem of Palestine is in fact the correct location or whether it could actually be the town of the same name in Galilee, situated much closer to Nazareth.The construction of the wall around Bethlehem, in Palestinian territory, is a serious deterrent to tourism, and pilgrims will not be encouraged in their efforts if