Christmas Begins In Mideast, Europe
5824
With the lighting of a candle for peace in his window, Pope John Paul began Christmas holiday celebrations that posed a new test for his frail health not long after visitors celebrated in Bethlehem.
582049
BETHLEHEM, West Bank, Dec. 24 -- Encouraged by renewed peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Christian pilgrims from around the world converged on Jesus's traditional birthplace Monday to celebrate Christmas -- a palpable contrast to the sparse crowds of recent years.
223152
BETHLEHEM, West Bank  - Thousands of pilgrims flocked to Bethlehem on Monday for a Christmas mass which Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Western powers hope will highlight the benefits of peacemaking.
469152
BETHLEHEM, West Bank  - Hundreds of pilgrims and a  new Palestinian leadership came to Bethlehem for Christmas as  the town of Jesus's birth celebrated the festival with new  hopes for peace following Yasser Arafat's death.
230311
BETHLEHEM, West Bank  - Bethlehem souvenir store owner Mike Canawati is gearing up for his merriest Christmas in years.
133171
The floors are polished, a Christmas tree glitters near the bar and the dining room is ready for hundreds of guests: The luxury Paradise Hotel is open for business for the first time since the latest Palestinian uprising erupted in 2000.
680921
A limited easing of security tensions raises hopes for a better Christmas.
735110
Lifestyle: 21 November 2004, Sunday. The Sofia Kempinski Zografski Hotel welcomed special guests from all over the world at the opening of the charity Christmas bazaar on Sunday.
405166
Pope John Paul II ushered in Christmas on Friday by celebrating midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, praying that world leaders will strive for peace and that Jews, Muslims and Christians will live harmoniously in the Holy Land.
596715
Thousands of pilgrims and a new Palestinian leadership celebrated Christmas in the town of Jesus's birth Saturday with prayers for peace after the death of Yasser Arafat.
750390
Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) chairman Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in the West Bank town of Bethlehem for the annual Christmas Eve service.
47596
Peace appeals are heard as Palestinian leaders join Christmas festivities in the town of Bethlehem.
24855
As Christmas approaches, Christians around the world turn to thoughts of the Holy Land and the great figures in the Bible.
44664
Israel is taking special steps to insure a merry Christmas in Bethlehem, an Israeli military official said Thursday, raising hopes for a gentler holiday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus after four years of Israeli-Palestinian violence.
409408
It's December 2005 and you're all set for Christmas in Vienna. You have your most fashionable cold-weather gear, right down to the red maple leaves embroidered on your jacket and backpack, to conceal your American citizenship from hostile denizens of Europe.
46145
Four UK church leaders are to make a pilgrimage to Bethlehem just before Christmas.
197042
Thousands of pilgrims and a new Palestinian leadership celebrated Christmas in the town of Jesus&#39;s birth yesterday with prayers for peace after the death of Yasser Arafat.