I only pray in my room," a Roman Catholic laborer from Sri Lanka told AP.
In Riyadh AP quoted a shop keeper as as saying that the ever-vigilant religious police have confiscated even Christmas cards

By Stefan J. Bos, ASSIST News Service, Dec 25, 2002

In recent years, small numbers of Israeli Jews have begun celebrating Christmas, putting up lights in shops and even trees in homes. Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau warned that such observances threaten the identity of the Jewish state.

By The Associated Press, Dec 25, 2002

For seven years now, Radio Bethlehem 2000 has provided live audio coverage of the traditional Christmas Eve parade, Christmas Eve Carols from Manger Square and Midnight Mass from the birth-place of Jesus Christ.

At 3:30 pm, on December 23, Israeli soldiers arrived at the Arrart building that houses the radio station on its fourth floor and ordered everyone outside. No explanation was given.

By Daoud Kuttab, Special For Come and See, Dec 24, 2002

According to archaeologists and Bible Scholars, the ancient bathhouse unearthed beneath a Nazareth souvenir shop owned by Elias Shama dates back to Crusader times and is not, as the shop owner believes, a Roman bath which may have been used by Jesus

By Steve Weizman, Associated Press, Dec 18, 2002

Haaretz, Israel's Elite Paper, writes about Christmas in Bethlehem in its editorial: "Since 1967, the proper conduct of Christmas services in Bethlehem has been proof that Israel jealously protects the rights of religious minorities, and Israel was praised for its ability to make a distinction between the holy places and its security needs.

Apparently, that concept is fading, along with Israel's good name in the world.

Haaretz Editorial, Dec 23, 2002

President Mubarak of Egypt has declared Christmas Day a National Holiday for the first time.

Coptic Christians represent ten percent of the population of Egypt. They celebrate Christmas on January 7 and from 2003, this date will be an official public holiday.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide Web site, December 19 2002

According to International Christian Concern, the Rev. Fernando Alconga, a Filipino pastor of the Redeemer and King Filipino Church of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of Dubai on November 12, 2002.

By Michael Ireland, ASSIST News Service

When Pope John Paul II appointed Michel Sabbah as the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem in 1988, it was the first time the Holy Land?s indigenous Roman Catholics were led by a fellow Palestinian. Previously, Rome had always sent an Italian to fill the sensitive post. An Interview with the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah on the eve of Christmas.

By Alessandra Borghese, NEWSWEEK INTERNATIONAL, Dec 23, 2002

While the Christian World is preparing to celebrate Christmas, the suffering Church in Bethlehem is praying that the curfew will be removed.

Rev. Simon Oberst, the rector of Bath Abbey recently wrote a letter to his friends at Bethlehem Bible College:

"I cannot sing this carol without thinking of the plight of my brothers and sisters in Bethlehem at this present time."

Special For Come and See, Dec 11, 2002