In regions afflicted by war, violence is only part of the problem that ordinary families face. Behind the bombs and bullets lies a second battle, the battle to make ends meet. In the second of a series of special reports, Barnabas Fund highlights how the war in Iraq is affecting the ability of Iraqi Christians to provide for themselves, their families, and their futures.

JIM CAVIEZEL, who starred in MEL GIBSON's PASSION OF THE CHRIST, will reprise the role of JESUS in a star-studded audio edition of THE BIBLE.

Christmas Divine Liturgy
The Christian faithful and the members of the Armenian community are invited to attend the Christmas Divine Liturgy on January 6th to be celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian at the Diocesan Complex of the Armenian Church in Burbank, CA.

For nearly two thousand years, the Middle East has been home to many Christian communities, especially in Palestine where their ancestors were the original followers of Jesus of Nazareth, but also in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Iraq. However, with the increasing Islamization of the region and most especially in recent years as the result of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the numbers of indigenous Christians have dwindled.

Pope Benedict in his traditional Christmas message Urbi et Orbi says that while the humanity has advanced in technology and science people continue to die of hunger and thirst, disease and poverty. Pope also spoke against consumerism and says that our world needs the savior Jesus.

Pope Benedict XVI urged the world to love children more and wished peace for our world during his Christmas homily of the Midnight Mass On December 25, 2006. At St. Peter's Basilica the pope issued a special call to protect children who are abused, forced to beg and are unloved. Read the full text of the Christmas Homily of His Holiness.

Christmas in USA - The United States of America integrates different elements from different places in its Christmas celebrations. The Christmas tree tradition comes from Germany, parades from Latin America, Carols from the English and Australians, Santa Claus from the Europeans and more. Apart from the general celebration with feasting, caroling, decorating and gift-giving, each family in the US has their individual Christmas celebrations. And even the traditions vary from one place to another within the US.

Three Indian TV networks are telecasting live the Pope's Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, and two of them will be linked via satellite to the Pontiff's traditional 'Urbi et Orbi' message and blessing which he delivers from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at noon on Christmas day, Dec. 25. India's state television, Doordarshan, as well as NDTV and Jeevan TV are telecasting live the Pope's Christmas Eve midnight Mass.