umkahlil

Enjoy a traditional Arabic Christmas Carol, "Laylat al-Milad," Night of Christmas, sung by the Bethlehem Star Choir of International Center of Bethlehem.

Click here to listen:

http://www.annadwa.org/articles/choir_xmas06.htm

English translation:

Refrain

On the night of Christmas ... Hatred will vanish
On the night of Christmas ... The Earth blooms
On the night of Christmas ... War is buried
On the night of Christmas ... Love is born

Verse 1
When we offer a glass of water to a thirsty person, we are in Christmas
When we clothe a naked person with a gown of love, we are in Christmas
When we wipe the tears from weeping eyes, we are in Christmas
When we cushion a hopeless heart with love, we are in Christmas

Verse 2
When I kiss a friend without hypocrisy, I am in Christmas
When the spirit of revenge dies in me, I am in Christmas
When hardness is gone from my heart, I am in Christmas
When my soul melts in the Being of God, I am in Christmas

The photo above is from Naseeb Shaheen's, A Pictorial History of Ramallah.
It is from January 4, 1958 (Orthodox Christmas). The girl guides from Ramallah put on a Christmas party for the patients at the Muttala' Hospital in Jerusalem.