Cities worldwide hold subdued Christmas Eve celebrations amid conflicts
Bethlehem, West Bank AP Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza. The cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were […]
Syrian Christians attend Christmas Mass for first time since fall of Assad
Damascus, Syria Reuters Syrian Christians attended Christmas Eve services on Tuesday for the first time since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in early December, in an early test of the new Islamist rulers’ pledges to protect the rights of the country’s religious minorities. The service was held amid tight security due to concerns of […]
On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis appeals for courage to better the world
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis said the story of Jesus’ birth as a poor carpenter’s son should instil hope that all people can make an impact on the world, as the pontiff on Tuesday led the world’s Roman Catholics into Christmas. Francis, celebrating the 12th Christmas of his pontificate, presided at a solemn Christmas Eve […]
In a troubled world, Christians strive to put aside earthly worries on Christmas Eve
Frankfurt, Germany AP Christians around the world were striving on Christmas Eve to put aside the worries and fears of an unsettled, war-torn world as they prepared to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Believers in Syria gathered Sunday in a country still suffering from the aftermath of a long civil war and suffocating economic blockade. […]
On Christmas eve, Pope Francis laments “futile” war in Holy Land
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis on Sunday lamented that Jesus’ message of peace was being drowned out by the “futile logic of war” in the very land where he was born, as the pontiff led the world’s Roman Catholics into Christmas. Francis, celebrating the 11th Christmas of his pontificate, presided at a solemn Christmas Eve […]
Japan’s recent heavy snow has caused 13 deaths, many injuries
Tokyo, Japan Reuters Recent heavy snow in Japan’s north and elsewhere have killed 13 people injured more than 80 and left more than 10,000 households without power, the authorities said on Saturday. Heavy snowfall continued to blanket areas across northern, eastern and western Japan on Saturdaym 24th December, paralysing traffic and causing blackouts. PICTURE: Reuters […]
Bethlehem rebounds from pandemic, lifting Christmas spirits
Updated 3:30pm (AEST) Bethlehem, West Bank AP The Biblical town of Bethlehem marked a merry Christmas on Saturday, with thousands of visitors descending upon the traditional birthplace of Jesus as it rebounds from the coronavirus pandemic. Tourism is the economic lifeblood of this town in the occupied West Bank, and for the past two years, […]
Remember the war weary and the poor, Pope urges on Christmas Eve
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis on Saturday led the world’s Catholics into Christmas, saying in an apparent reference to the war in Ukraine and other conflicts that the level of greed and hunger for power was such that some wanted to “consume even their neighbours”. Francis, celebrating the 10th Christmas of his pontificate, presided at […]
COVID puts a damper on Christmas Eve again around the world
AP From Bethlehem and Frankfurt to London and Boston, the surging coronavirus put a damper on Christmas Eve for a second year, forcing churches to cancel or scale back services and disrupting travel plans and family gatherings. Drummers and bagpipers marched through Bethlehem – the town where Christians believe Jesus was born – to smaller […]
Christmas Eve concert held in Paris’ fire-wrecked Notre Dame
Paris, France AP Wearing hard hats and protective suits, members of the choir of Notre Dame Cathedral sang inside the medieval Paris landmark for the first time since last year’s devastating fire for a special Christmas Eve concert. Accompanied by an acclaimed cellist and a rented organ, the singers performed beneath the cathedral’s stained-glass windows […]