Bethlehem Invasion -- Santas!

Invasion is not a very popular word here in the West Bank, but I don't know how else to describe it. Bethlehem has been invaded by Santas! Where did all of these creatures come from? This is my third Christmas here in Bethlehem, and I can't recall ever seeing more than one Santa in town -- the huge monster Santa at Jumana Gifts on Manger Street. But a walk along Manger Street yesterday revealed no less than a dozen Santas -- lurking in corners, posed in storefronts, sitting on top of buildings, or strategically placed for rapid sales. I don't consider that real progress. I suppose the Santas are to appeal to tourists -- if any arrive. Why not travel thousands of miles to visit the site of Jesus' birth -- and then buy an inflatable Santa? Why would you want an olivewood nativity scene when you could buy a Santa? I suppose deflated Santas travel better than olivewood. Still, I have to wonder about the marketing angle. The folks visiting Bethlehem might not be the ones really interested in Santa. I mean if you were interested in Santa, wouldn't you visit the North Pole? The people that come to Bethlehem are interested in baby Jesus. I think an inflatable baby Jesus would sell better than an inflatable Santa! Yet I haven't seen one inflatable baby Jesus anywhere. But anyway, if you're coming to the Holy Land to experience Christmas in Nativity Church AND to find a nice-sized travel Santa, this year Bethlehem is the place.