The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/christmas-eve/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:25:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Christmas eve | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/christmas-eve/ 32 32 Bethlehem sees full Christmas revelry for first time since outbreak of Gaza war https://www.timesofisrael.com/bethlehem-sees-full-christmas-revelry-for-first-time-since-outbreak-of-gaza-war/ Wed, 24 Dec 2025 22:01:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3719384 Hundreds parade down Manger Square, thought to be Jesus's birthplace, as bagpipes and drums return to West Bank city, which hosted subdued celebrations as conflict gripped region

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]]> How the Yiddish-speaking Jews of Europe had themselves a merry little Nittel Nacht https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-the-yiddish-speaking-jews-of-europe-had-themselves-a-merry-little-nittel-nacht/ Tue, 23 Dec 2025 18:30:54 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3715846 A new book explores how, contrary to popular belief, Christmas was a festive time for Jewish men, who took time off from Torah study to play cards and games

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]]> Historic winter storm leaves much of US freezing, buried beneath snow for Christmas https://www.timesofisrael.com/historic-winter-storm-leaves-much-of-us-freezing-buried-under-snow-for-christmas/ Sun, 25 Dec 2022 20:35:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2907449 60% of population under winter weather warnings, as hurricane-force winds and icy temperatures bring airports to a halt, tear down power grids across country

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]]> Israelis flood Nazareth for Christmas celebrations, while Bethlehem subdued https://www.timesofisrael.com/bethlehem-subdued-for-a-second-pandemic-christmas/ Fri, 24 Dec 2021 18:10:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2671911 Tens of thousands visit northern town for festive events; in the West Bank, meanwhile, locals who depend on tourism for their livelihood say health crisis 'worse than war'

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]]> As cases surge, world set to ring in another pandemic Christmas with restrictions https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-cases-surge-world-set-to-ring-in-another-pandemic-christmas-with-restrictions/ Fri, 24 Dec 2021 13:25:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2671800 US travelers face misery as airlines cancel flights due to crewing problems caused by virus; Canada says Santa vaccinated and cleared for travel

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]]> Coronavirus, and rain, dampen Christmas joy in Bethlehem https://www.timesofisrael.com/coronavirus-and-rain-dampen-christmas-joy-in-bethlehem/ Fri, 24 Dec 2021 09:58:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2671777 Local authorities counting on the Holy Land’s small Christian community to lift spirits for the holiday after Israel imposes tourist travel ban in attempt to stop spread of Omicron

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]]> Put the ‘oy’ in Christmas joy with this Jewish guide to navigating Xmas in NYC https://www.timesofisrael.com/put-the-oy-in-christmas-joy-with-this-jewish-guide-to-navigating-xmas-in-nyc/ Thu, 23 Dec 2021 01:23:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2669865 There is probably plenty to do in the City That Never Sleeps this December 25 - but we're skipping all that in favor of a timeless Jewish tradition: Chinese food and a movie

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]]> Egypt’s Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas, ponder changing date https://www.timesofisrael.com/egypts-coptic-christians-celebrate-christmas-ponder-changing-date/ Fri, 28 Dec 2018 14:07:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1987777 With evergreen firs and red-robed Santas relatively new to rural Copts, a community with longstanding traditions has mixed reactions to moving the holiday to align with the West

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]]> Pilgrims gather at Jesus’s traditional birthplace for Christmas https://www.timesofisrael.com/pilgrims-gather-at-jesuss-traditional-birthplace-for-christmas/ Mon, 24 Dec 2018 13:10:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1985782 Palestinian scouts and a bagpipe band parade in Manger Square across from the Church of the Nativity, as Bethlehem gets into the spirit for Christian festival

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]]> A new Jewish Christmas tradition: Watching ‘Fiddler’ at your local movie theater https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-new-jewish-christmas-tradition-watching-fiddler-at-your-local-movie-theater/ Fri, 21 Dec 2018 03:04:25 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1983046 Showbiz hosts, singalongs, trivia and a costume contest are part of the fun at Laemmle Theatres' holidays showings, which have spawned copycats in Chicago and Seattle

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]]> Egyptian Copts mark Christmas Eve after bloody year https://www.timesofisrael.com/egyptian-copts-mark-christmas-eve-after-bloody-year/ Sat, 06 Jan 2018 20:44:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1765768 'You are our family, you are from us, we are one and no one will divide us,' President Sissi tells adoring crowds

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]]> Call Adam Sandler: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was Jewish, too https://www.timesofisrael.com/call-adam-sandler-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-was-jewish-too/ Mon, 25 Dec 2017 19:37:06 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1757998 In 'Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas,' filmmaker Larry Weinstein shares why Christmas is just another Yiddishe holiday

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]]> In Bethlehem and Gaza, Christmas celebrations nixed over Jerusalem decision https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-bethlehem-and-gaza-christmas-celebrations-nixed-over-jerusalem-decision/ Mon, 25 Dec 2017 10:30:32 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1757963 Only prayer services go ahead as politics and inclement weather leave Manger Square, usually packed with tourists, nearly empty on Christmas Eve

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]]> In Christmas homily, Pope says Bethlehem trek like today’s global migrations https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-christmas-homily-pope-says-bethlehem-trek-like-todays-global-migrations/ Mon, 25 Dec 2017 00:02:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1757880 Francis likens the journey of Mary and Joseph to those of millions of today's immigrants 'driven from their land'

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]]> Jerusalem to hand out 150 Christmas trees https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-to-hand-out-150-christmas-trees/ Wed, 13 Dec 2017 16:35:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1750332 City says it is preparing decorations, cleaning crews and traffic arrangements for holiday celebrations

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