Christmas goes relatively unnoticed in the country of Israel. Only 2% of the population observes the holiday and this small celebration is lost amidst the Menorahs and Chanukahs of Jewish Hanukkah and the feasting of the Muslim Eid al-Adha. Nevertheless, some places make a special effort to draw attention to the holiday in a unique way.

In the boyhood home of Jesus, Nazareth Village is celebrating the season by presenting its eighth annual recreation of the Nativity story in a series of guided evening tours. Guests are invited to walk by candle light along a path following Joseph and Mary on the donkey as a guide re-tells the timeless story of the birth of Jesus.

Hannah Byrd, Special For "Come and See", Dec 7, 2007

On November 11, 2007 a small group of exhausted but determined cyclists rode through the gates of the Nazareth EMMS Hospital. The backs of their bright yellow shirts bore the words: ‘Cycle the Holy Land’ and their exultant expressions told the tale of five arduous but thoroughly rewarding days trekking across Israel in an effort to raise funds for the Hospital. The group cycles every year as a fundraiser for Nazareth Hospital and this year’s proceeds were raised specifically for the addition of four new operating rooms.

Special For "Come and See", November 29, 2007

A few weeks ago, a senior Greek Orthodox clergyman in Israel attended a meeting at a government office in Jerusalem's Givat Shaul quarter. When he returned to his car, an elderly man wearing a skullcap came and knocked on the window. When the clergyman let the window down, the passerby spat in his face.

By Amiram Barkat, Haaretz, Nov 23, 2007

Christian leaders across denominational lines responded to the unprecedented open letter signed last month by 138 representative Muslim leaders with their own letter, calling on the two Abrahamic faiths to love God and neighbors together. >br>
Over 100 theologians, ministry leaders, and prominent pastors have thus far signed the response letter issued by the Yale Center for Faith and Culture.

Signers include Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners; Rick Warren, founder and senior pastor of Saddleback Church; John Stott, rector emeritus of All Souls Church in London; and Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals.

By Ethan Cole, Christian Post, Nov. 23 2007