Updated 12:58 pm.EST, Sat November 21, 2009

Entertainment|Wed, Dec. 24 2008 09:22 AM EST

Bethlehem Nativity to be Webcast Live for Christmas

By Jennifer Riley|Christian Post Reporter

For the first time, the Christmas Eve mass at the Bethlehem site believed to be the birthplace of Jesus will be streamed live for people around the world to watch.

  • (Photo: IPrayTV)
    Technicians setting up video equipment in Bethlehem in preparation for the first-ever live streaming of the Christmas Eve mass in the Church of the Nativity, the site believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

IPrayTv, a faith-based internet broadcast provider, is making the famous midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the Church of the Nativity available online on their Web site, at no cost. Streaming of the service will begin at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) on Christmas Eve and will be replayed throughout the following 48 hours to allow viewers to access the video in all time zones.

Another feed from Nativity Square will also be available along with the one within the church.

The famous Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. It is built over the cave that tradition says is the birthplace of Christ, and is considered sacred by followers of Christianity.

Inside the church is the Grotto of the Nativity, an underground cave located beneath the basilica, where the site, believed to be where Jesus was born, lies. The exact spot of his birth is marked by a 14-point silver star set into the marble floor and surrounded by silver lamps. An altar is placed over the star.

“Since the [Web] site was launched two months ago, we’ve seen a strong desire among believers around the world to strengthen their connection with Israel and the Holy sites,” said Mike Peros, founder and CEO of IPrayTV.

“All year the service can be a valuable tool to believer’s world-wide. All the more so on Christmas, we are honored to help people build their connection to the true reason for the season from the Church of the Nativity,” he said.

IPrayTV seeks to link ministries to Jerusalem and the Holy sites through its simulcast technology. It is the first provider of internet broadcast services to faith-based organizations linking ministries to the Holy sites through simulcast.

In the past, services have included streaming videos 24/7 from key Christian holy sites in Jerusalem including Calvary, Mount of Olives, the Eastern Gate, the City of David, and the city of Jerusalem. The site launched in October 2008.

On the Web: www.IPrayTV.com

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  • Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:51 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

    Aw, we still love the people from Raanana. There is a lot of Messianic Jewish friends up there, Anders.

    All the same, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for you and all your loved ones. God bless you Anders.

    In Christ always.

  • Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:08 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    The Christian reading this will agree with me that the Creator is perfect and Torah is true. Every intelligent person will agree with me that historic facts taught by Scholars in leading universities are not made up fairy tales with no basis in historical and archaeological facts.

    Lets do some research based on our common basis!
    The person who researches a encyclopaedia recognized by Scholars will find that Christians celebrate an idolatrous Roman Hellenist festival celebrating the birth of the sun god, not adopted by Christianity until more than 3 centuries after the Pharisee Jew born there (336 C.E.), when shepherds in the field and computer calculations based on the descriptions of the astronomical observations (if it was a "star" in the east, Iranian magi would have wound up in South Korea staring out at Japan) indicate the birthdate was 29/5... in the year B.C.E. 7.

    There is NO connection between the Pharisee Ribi Yehoshua from Beit Lekhem (Bethlehem) and, le-havdil, Christmas; see http://www.netzarim.co.il/Museum/Sukkah09/Christmas.htm The Scriptures taught by the Historical Pharisee Ribi from Beit Lekhem taught command that one NOT adopt the traditions of the idolaters and adhere meticulously, instead, to Torah (wa-Yiqra ["Lev."] 18.3, et al.). [Part of quotes from Paqid Yirmeyahu]

    To follow Ribi Yehoshua (the only possible candidate to be the Messiah based on arguments from Tanakh) by practising Torah non-selectively is very meaningful
    To quote the first century Ribi Yehoshua: Happy are they to be who hunger and thirst after tzedaqah [justness according to Torah; that is practising the mitzwot in Torah], for they shall be filled of it. [The Netzarim Reconstruction of Hebrew Matityahu 5:3].

    From Anders Branderud
    Geir Toshav, the authentic Netzarim, which is in Raanana in Israel (www.netzarim.co.il)

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