The West Bank town of Bethlehem is busy getting ready for Christmas. As bright lights and other holiday decorations go up in Manger Square, Bethlehem is preparing for its best Christmas in 20 years, the town’s mayor said. Five new hotels are being built and some existing hotels are expanding. The town has even extended the opening hours of the Church of the Nativity, the place where many Christians believe Jesus Christ was born. But even after three years of relative peace, many people are still worried. Bethlehem is just a short drive from Jerusalem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The local economy depends on the money spent by visitors. Whenever there is unrest anywhere in the Middle East, tourists stop coming and that can lead to a financial disaster.

What does relative mean?
unrest in an area
compared to something else
prepare for a holiday
a short drive away
Where may Jesus Christ have been born?
a short drive away
near the Middle East
The Church of the Nativity
an existing hotel
Local economy depends on money spent by visitors.
money spent by visitors
unrest in the region
a financial disaster
five new hotels