The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/christmas/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 16 Jun 2026 01:20:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Christmas | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/christmas/ 32 32 Turkey nabs 115 suspected ISIS members allegedly plotting Christmas attacks https://www.timesofisrael.com/turkey-nabs-115-suspected-isis-members-allegedly-plotting-christmas-attacks/ Thu, 25 Dec 2025 16:13:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3719933 Authorities say terror group issued call to action against non-Muslims during festivities; police seize weapons in raids at 124 locations

The post Turkey nabs 115 suspected ISIS members allegedly plotting Christmas attacks appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> 3 Palestinians arrested for torching Christmas tree at West Bank Catholic church https://www.timesofisrael.com/3-palestinians-arrested-over-torching-of-christmas-tree-at-west-bank-catholic-church/ Thu, 25 Dec 2025 13:20:32 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3719796 Palestinian Authority police say arson was attempt to incite sectarian and religious tensions; Holy Redeemer Church of Jenin hastily finds replacement in time for Christmas Mass

The post 3 Palestinians arrested for torching Christmas tree at West Bank Catholic church appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> In 1st Christmas mass, Pope Leo laments ‘rain, wind, cold’ facing displaced Gazans https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-1st-christmas-mass-pope-leo-laments-rain-wind-cold-facing-displaced-gazans/ Thu, 25 Dec 2025 13:12:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3719705 Drawing parallels to the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem tent, pontiff asks: 'How, then, can we not think of the tents in Gaza?'

The post In 1st Christmas mass, Pope Leo laments ‘rain, wind, cold’ facing displaced Gazans appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Merry Jewish Christmas: How Chinese food became a time-honored tradition for US Jews https://www.timesofisrael.com/merry-jewish-christmas-how-chinese-food-became-a-time-honored-tradition-for-us-jews/ Thu, 25 Dec 2025 04:14:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3719555 'Chinese food and a movie' has long been the trope of American Jewish Christmas, as, like other minority groups, Jews have created ways to adapt to the societies in which they live

The post Merry Jewish Christmas: How Chinese food became a time-honored tradition for US Jews appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> 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

The post Bethlehem sees full Christmas revelry for first time since outbreak of Gaza war appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> 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

The post How the Yiddish-speaking Jews of Europe had themselves a merry little Nittel Nacht appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> ‘Holding on’: Gaza’s tiny Christian community tries to capture the holiday spirit https://www.timesofisrael.com/holding-on-gazas-tiny-christian-community-tries-to-capture-the-holiday-spirit/ Tue, 23 Dec 2025 13:16:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3718271 While the ceasefire has eased some suffering in the embattled enclave, Gazans lament the losses of two years of war, friends who cannot celebrate Christmas with them

The post ‘Holding on’: Gaza’s tiny Christian community tries to capture the holiday spirit appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Nazareth’s classical Christmas concerts return home https://www.timesofisrael.com/nazareths-classical-christmas-concerts-return-home/ Thu, 18 Dec 2025 01:44:39 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3711728 Polyphony's Liturgical Festival brings together musical performances by Arabs and Jews

The post Nazareth’s classical Christmas concerts return home appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Christmas festivities return to Bethlehem after 2 years of war in Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/christmas-festivities-return-to-bethlehem-after-2-years-of-war-in-gaza/ Sun, 07 Dec 2025 04:58:43 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3706303 Tourism-reliant city sees crowds travel from Israel, West Bank and beyond, seeks to 'reignite hope' after celebrations were muted amid war, and before that during COVID

The post Christmas festivities return to Bethlehem after 2 years of war in Gaza appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> How at the turn of the century, American Jews really did wage a ‘war on Christmas’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-at-the-turn-of-the-century-american-jews-really-did-wage-a-war-on-christmas/ Wed, 19 Nov 2025 02:34:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3690367 A new book by historian Scott D. Seligman recalls the 'The Great Christmas Boycott of 1906,' when immigrants fought for the separation of church and state in public schools

The post How at the turn of the century, American Jews really did wage a ‘war on Christmas’ appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Hanukkah-Christmas convergence inspires flood of intercultural books for kids https://www.timesofisrael.com/hanukkah-christmas-convergence-inspires-flood-of-intercultural-books-for-kids/ Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:05:01 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3434897 From a 'Parent Trap'-esque switcheroo to a exploration of traditions around the world, publishers are ringing in the winter holidays with stories for Jewish and interfaith families

The post Hanukkah-Christmas convergence inspires flood of intercultural books for kids appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Bethlehem marks second subdued Christmas, amid pall of ongoing war https://www.timesofisrael.com/bethlehem-marks-second-subdued-christmas-amid-pall-of-ongoing-war/ Wed, 25 Dec 2024 15:50:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3446593 Latin patriarch, after visiting Catholics in Gaza, urges faithful in West Bank city to 'not give up,' as pope in Vatican laments 'bombs on schools and hospitals'

The post Bethlehem marks second subdued Christmas, amid pall of ongoing war appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> On Christmas, Pope Francis calls for Gaza hostage-truce deal, Ukraine peace talks https://www.timesofisrael.com/on-christmas-pope-francis-calls-for-gaza-hostage-truce-deal-ukraine-peace-talks/ Wed, 25 Dec 2024 13:26:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3446603 As Hannukah and Christmas coincide, pontiff uses his annual 'Urbi et Orbi' address to urge 'all peoples and nations... to silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions'

The post On Christmas, Pope Francis calls for Gaza hostage-truce deal, Ukraine peace talks appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Hundreds protest for Christians’ rights in Syrian capital after Christmas tree burned https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-protest-for-chistians-rights-in-syrian-capital-after-christmas-tree-burned/ Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:23:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3446399 Hooded fighters seen in video setting fire to installation in Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, near Hama; interim government representative condemns action; tree repaired

The post Hundreds protest for Christians’ rights in Syrian capital after Christmas tree burned appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Jerusalem’s Christmas dimmed by war, but some Christians see a glimmer of hope https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalems-christmas-dimmed-by-war-but-some-christians-see-a-glimmer-of-hope/ Tue, 24 Dec 2024 20:42:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3446251 As conflict persists and tourist influx remains limited, public celebrations in the Old City are canceled for the second year in a row, but some refuse to give in to despair

The post Jerusalem’s Christmas dimmed by war, but some Christians see a glimmer of hope appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]>