Beit Sahour
The city of Beit Sahour is located one kilometer east of Bethlehem, and is about 620 meters above sea level.
It is believed that the name Sahour is an ancient Aramaic name meaning the watchful one, and that the current name was distorted from "Beit Sahour" meaning the house of vigil, in reference to the shepherds who stay awake to guard their flocks. The name is linked to the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and the appearance of the angel of the Lord to the shepherds who were keeping watch at night over their flocks. The angel appeared to them, announced the birth of the child Jesus, and showed them the fixed star above the cave of the Nativity. According to the Gospel, "Suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
The Canaanites were among the first inhabitants of Beit Sahour in ancient times, leaving behind many caves that are spread throughout the city's outskirts.
This area holds a deep religious value for Christian pilgrims, in terms of the memory of the angelic appearance to the shepherds, the story of Ruth the Moabite, and the passage of the Virgin Mary through here.
Beit Sahour is famous for its traditional industries, especially olive wood, shells and Palestinian embroidery. It is also famous for its modern hotels and various restaurants.