The oldest church in Muslim-majority Kashmir is reopening for Christmas after 30 years
Merry Christmas! Enjoy some of our best holiday reads
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
We want to wish you a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday season! Be sure to check our site for all the stories we’ve published in the last week — we’re sticking to our most festive coverage.
Kashmir’s oldest church, historically an important place of worship for Protestant Christians in the Kashmir Valley, is reopening in time for Christmas this year after it was closed 30 years ago. Renovations are being completed this week, and already people have gathered to worship and pray. Contributor Syed Shahriyar reports.
If you’re looking for something to watch, check out this list of 12 faith-based Christmas movies compiled by our culture reporter Jillian Cheney. We even let you know where to watch them!
Our Jerusalem correspondent Gil Zohar reports from Israel’s most popular tourist sites, where tourism is low because of COVID-19 and West Bank protests. He writes that locals and domestic tourists are hoping to enjoy special holiday activities to make up for the lack.
Merry Christmas! We’ll see you next week!
Kashmir's Oldest Church Built In 1896 To Reopen For Christmas by Syed Shahriyar
A church established by medical missionaries in Kashmir Valley in 1896 closed during the 1990’s armed insurgency against Indian rule when its local staff of Indian Christians fled to safety outside the region. But now after three decades and under the leadership of the government’s tourism department, the church is being restored and reopening in time for Christmas.
12 Christmas Movies To Celebrate The 12 Days Of Christmas by Jillian Cheney
There’s an excess of Christmas movies to stream this holiday season. We’ve compiled a list of 12 of the best faith-based Christmas movies to enjoy.
COVID And Politics Compete To Be The Grinch That Stole Christmas In Israel by Gil Zohar
Palestinian protests in the West Bank and COVID-19 restrictions amid the rise of the omicron and delta variants are dampening Christmas tourism for the second year in Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem. Israel hopes that its domestic tourists will still turn out for the celebrations.
Why 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' Remains Beloved By Both Christians And Nonbelievers by Clemente Lisi
(OPINION) Something truly magical happens by the end when Charlie Brown asks what the true meaning of Christmas is. Instead of more commercialism, Linus sets his friend — and everyone else — straight and delivers a truly important message.
'The Farmer And The Belle' (Mostly) Succeeds In Blending Christmas And Faith-Based Genres by Joseph Homes
A new film on Amazon Prime tells the real-life story of a model who struggles with her body image and learns to appreciate her inner beauty when she falls in love with a Christian man who loves her for more than her looks. In some ways, it improves on the typical Hallmark Christmas movie— in other ways, it doesn’t.
The Story Behind The Nativity Creche At New York’s Met Museum by Clemente Lisi
The museum’s famed nativity creche, currently on display through January 6, features the baby Jesus with a radiant halo surrounded by figures that range in size from 12 to 15 inches in height.
The Dancing Salvation Army Bell Ringer Of Broadway by Micah Danney
A few blocks from the long lines forming to see Manhattan’s priciest shows, a Salvation Army officer’s panache delights his transient audience every Christmas season.
Is Commercializing Hanukkah A Good Thing For Judaism? by Terry Mattingly
(OPINION) This year, with Hanukkah slotted earlier in the cultural calendar, it seemed like the powers that be in American commerce went out of their way — for better and for worse — to crank out extra gifts and advertisements targeting Jewish consumers.
How The Press Continues To Perpetuate The Santa Myth by Clemente Lisi
(OPINION) We are currently in “the most wonderful time of the year,” as the popular Christmas song by Andy Williams goes. For many Christians, however, the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day are marked by Advent, a time of prayer in preparation for the birth of Jesus. In Eastern churches, this season is called Nativity Lent.
'Christmas With The Chosen' About Jesus' Life Beats Box Office Records by Joseph Holmes
(REVIEW) Fans of “The Chosen” TV series shocked the entertainment industry by rocketing the tiny Christmas special — which is essentially a Christmas carol show with a short Christmas-themed episode of “The Chosen” attached to it — to over $10 million at the box office its opening week.
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