Bethlehem - Ma'an - The Custos of the Holy Land and Palestine TV signed an agreement Friday that will see the Nativity Church Midnight Mass on Christmas broadcast made available without charge for any satellite station or individual wishing to take part in the celebration.

Palestine TV will upload a live feed on 24 December, and the mass can be re-broadcast without charge anywhere in the world.

The initiative is the largest among several churches in Bethlehem who hope to share their worship services and the special character of Christmas in the holy city with congregations in North America and around the world.

The Nativity Church service on 24-25 December is a Catholic Mass, which will be conducted primarily in English.

On 19 December Bethlehem's Lutheran Church will conduct a joint service with the Washington National Cathedral in the DC area. The service will also be broadcast over the website.

Speaking about the Nativity Church broadcast, PLO leader Yasser Abed Rabbo said the initiative speaks to the importance of Christmas celebrations within the Palestinian leadership, noting the status of Christmas as a national holiday, and the participation of dozens of Palestinian leaders, both Muslim and Christian, in the celebrations.

"Our efforts show that the nation, of Muslims and Christians, cling to the message of tolerance, love and peace," he told Ma'an.