Christmas Begins In Mideast, Europe
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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.
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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.
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As the Palestinians' main donor and Israel's top commercial partner, Europe could be a major player in pushing to restart the stalled Middle East peace process in the post-Yasser Arafat era.
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Christmas markets are thought to have originated in Germany. They developed from the traditional winter markets at which people could meet to buy and sell local produce and home-made decorations crafted out of ...
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People tore open presents and enjoyed Christmas feasts with their families across the globe on Saturday. Christians in Indonesia packed tightly guarded churches despite fears of terrorist attacks.
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The familiar sound of ringing bells announces the beginning of a Christmas -time tradition. Christmas shoppers are once again reminded by the Salvation Army
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Four UK church leaders are to make a pilgrimage to Bethlehem just before Christmas.
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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.
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BETHLEHEM, West Bank  - 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.
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BETHLEHEM, West Bank, DEC. 22, 2004 .- The Israeli government announced that it would not prevent Israeli Christians from visiting Bethlehem for Christmas celebrations.
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Interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Bethlehem under heavy security this evening for Christmas celebrations. It was the first time in four years that a Palestinian leader has spent the holiday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
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Pope John Paul told the world in  his Christmas message on Saturday that people everywhere were  yearning for peace and expressed particular concern for Iraq,  the Middle East and Africa.
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Israeli soldiers sent sweets and Christmas greetings to Palestinians in Bethlehem today, the latest sign that relations between the sides have warmed since the death of Yasser Arafat.
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BETHLEHEM, West Bank  - Hundreds of pilgrims and a  new Palestinian leadership celebrated Christmas in the town of  Jesus's birth on Saturday with new hopes for peace following  Yasser Arafat's death.
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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.
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BETHLEHEM, West Bank -- 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.
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Christmas celebrations have been held at the Church of Nativity in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, the historic birthplace of Jesus Christ.