Eyes are on Iraq this year and thankful that there is reconciliation and a peace movement on the streets today.
Shiite tribal leaders attended Christmas Mass in Iraq today.
2,000 people crowded the Mar Eliya Church in Baghdad today. 
Shiite tribal leaders attend Christmas mass at an Assyrian orthodox church in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2007. The church, which is located next to a Shiite mosque, hosted their neighbors for Christmas mass as a gesture of friendship.
(AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
Breitbart reported:
Muslim clerics—both Sunni and Shiite—also attended the service in a sign of unity. “May Iraq be safe every year, and may our Christian brothers be safe every year,” Shiite cleric Hadi al-Jazail told AP Television News outside the church. “We came to celebrate with them and to reassure them.”
God is good… And, so are the American Soldiers and Marines who helped make this possible.
Iraqi Christians light prayer candles after Christmas mass in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2007.(AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)
Michelle Malkin has a Christmas video collection from around the world.
The Anchoress provides the music this year.
Allahpundit got a nice present.
Fausta has a nice tree.
The Holy See offered an appeal to protect the environment which comes just two weeks after he lashed out at the global warming fear-mongerers.
Southwest Airlines comes through for the troops at Christmas.
Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, leader of the ancient Chaldean Church, made a Christmas appeal Monday for all those who have fled Iraq to return and help rebuild their homeland.
The churches were packed in Baghdad today.
Iraqi youths sing a religious hymn during Christmas Mass at the Virgin Mary church in Baghdad, Dec. 24, 2007. (Mahmoud Raouf Mahoud/Reuters)
ABC News reports on the return of the Christians to Baghdad this year:
After the fall of Saddam Hussein, thousands of Iraqis fled Baghdad, including many Christians who had lived with their Muslim neighbors for centuries. Now, with the security situation improving, some of Iraq’s Christians are returning home, just in time for Christmas.
And… Beto sends this wonderful poem for the Christmas holiday:
Eternal Green
A Christmas Eve
Long past and gone
The Yuletide Carol
Of a heart gone wrongWe voyeur here
Old Scrooge and young
The Spirits Three
And the wisdom wrungAs it unfolds
The Carol play
I shed a tear
For the heart once gayThen as the nails
Of life drive in
And hang the heart
We see all man’s sinDear Mister Scrooge
For you a prayer
Your broken heart
Be it mended hereThough stranded be
On rocky shoal
God’s lifeboat sent
Here to save us allSo sing with Joy
And raise the strain
Light trees of love
And redeem our painThat we like Scrooge
May all walk free
Accept God’s gift
Of Eternal GreenGod Bless,
Beto Ochoa
More… Jules Crittenden has a Merry Christmas roundup.
And… Amy Proctor shares this good news:
We were able to raise over $2700 for the seminar in Ankawa, Iraq, where 27 young men are studying for the priesthood so they can serve Christ in Iraq. Considering the offering was taken up last weekend when an ice/snow storm debilitated Ft. Leavenworth and kept 80% of parishoners away, I’m very proud of our ability to do this for Chaldean Christians in Iraq.
Why not be happy that Iraqis are enjoying better security and a brighter future? People who care about Iraqis would clearly be happy with these trends. Examine your heart, my friend.
Blackfive celebrates Christmas in Iraq.
