Here's a tour of Christmas traditions in the Arab world

Ah, Christmas, a time for happiness, love and some very cool traditions, especially when it comes to the Arab world. 

It's not a region that you would usually associate with Christmas. But remember where it all started? Yup, in a little Palestinian town called Bethlehem that's smack in the middle of the Arab world. 

This is a region that hosts >12 million Christians, and it's home to some of the earliest communities of the religious group (dating back to as early as the 33 AD, some say).

Needless to say, our Christmas practices are unique. 

"Born is the king of Bethlehem"

It's in the song and is world renowned that Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus Christ, as well as the holy epicenter of Christianity itself.

Over Christmas, thousands of locals, tourists and pilgrims alike go to experience the festivities. The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities estimates that 115,000 tourists visit Bethlehem during this time. 

Bethlehem is a sight to behold during Christmas time, especially as the Patriarch of Jerusalem walks through Bethlehem and people gather in Manger Square to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

But this procession is actually done 3 times, at 3 separate Christmas eves: the 24th for Protestants and Catholics, the 6th of January for Greek Orthodox - the majority of Palestinian Christians - and the 17th of January for Armenians, who wait even longer in Bethlehem for Christmas.

Lebanon's Christmas spirit is widespread. Houses are decorated, streets and malls are lit up with trees and shops pull out all the "Christmas sales" stops. These can be found in all neighborhoods, Muslim and Christian alike.  

A cool tradition the Lebanese have is planting chickpeas or >wheat grains in soaked cotton on Eid el-Burbara (Dec 4) and placing them under the Christmas tree when the shoots have grown. This represents the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Lebanon also recognizes Armenian Christmas, January 6th, as an official holiday.

The government of Iraq officially declared Christmas as a public holiday in 2008.

Iraq celebrates Christmas more seriously than others, holding quiet celebrations in their homes. 

A unique Iraqi tradition is to ignite a fire of dried thorns after the story of the Nativity is read, usually by one of the children. Iraqis believe the burning fire predicts the future in the forthcoming year. 

Most Egyptians celebrate Christmas not on December 25th, but on January 7th, according to the Coptic (an Orthodox) church.

Christmas Eve is usually spent with families, either at church or at home, where they eat a traditional Christmas meal called fata, which consists of bread, rice, garlic and boiled meat. 

Christmas morning, Egyptians traditionally visit friends and neighbours, and offer them ka3k, which is meant to be eaten with soup, as different families come together to celebrate.