The annual celebration of the birth of Jesus on 25 December began in 350 CE when the Catholic church tried to Christianise Yule, the pagan midwinter festival in Europe.
Opinion & Analysis

Christmas has been cancelled in Bethlehem

THE birth of Jesus in humble circumstances in Bethlehem is central to the Christian story. This year Christmas has been cancelled in Bethlehem. Explaining the decision, Bishop William Shomali, the General Vicar and Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem asked, “How can we celebrate Christmas when thousands of Palestinians got…

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