As Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Christ, CURE International continues work on a $4.25 million specialty surgical and training center in the town of His birth.

"Over 2000 years ago, a baby born in Bethlehem brought hope to the world," said Dr. Scott Harrison, CURE's founder, president, and chief executive officer. "As we look again toward Bethlehem this Christmas season, the city of Jesus' birth will soon be a place of hope for disabled children. They will have the hope of healing."

MNN, Dec 17, 2008

A director of the US Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations and his wife were detained Sunday at Ben-Gurion Airport by Interior Ministry officials amid allegations he is involved in illegal Christian missionary activity.

It is illegal in Israel to proselytize among minors. It is also prohibited to engage in missionary activities among adults when economic incentives are offered.

After over eight hours of detention, Jamie Cowen, a former president of the union, and his wife, Stacy, were permitted to enter Israel only after they agreed to sign a document that they would not engage in missionary activities during their stay.

By MATTHEW WAGNER, Jerusalem Post, Dec 15, 2008

SAT-7 KIDS, the first and only Arabic Christian satellite TV channel dedicated exclusively to the children of the Middle East and North Africa, celebrates its first anniversary on December 10, 2008.

The channel launched as a Christmas present to the millions of children living in the Arab world during the 2007 holiday season, and this year SAT-7 KIDS will continue to bless viewers with a variety of Christmas specials. Over the next weeks, children in the region can watch Arabic cartoons (such as VeggieTales® “The Toy Who Stole Christmas” and Hermie & Friends® “Fruit Cake Christmas”) films including “Legend of the Candy Cane” and “The Miracle Maker” and many locally produced specials including SAT-7 KIDS’s first ever live telecast.

SAT7 Press release, Dec 4, 2008

The following is the statement issued by Sabeel's seventh International Conference Held in Nazareth and Jerusalem on NOVEMBER 12-19, 2008 under the title "THE NAKBA: MEMORY, REALITY AND BEYOND"

Special for Come and See, Nov 22, 2008

In his column in the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam, 'Abd Al-Nasser Al-Najjar criticized the persecution of Christians in Arab countries,
with a particular emphasis on the Christian population of the Palestinian Authority.
From Memri web site, Nov 12, 2008

BibleLands has been at work in Israel and the Occupied Territories, Lebanon and Egypt for more than 150 years, working with indigenous partners to help ease the suffering of impoverished communities.

In Israel and the Occupied Territories in particular, that work continues in the face of daily acts of terrorism, military action, curfews, travel restrictions and perpetual shortages of the most basic necessities.

Christian Today Interview, October 7, 2008

Around 300 Catholics gather for mass every Saturday evening in the home of the Nigerian ambassador to Israel, in the luxury neighborhood of Kfar Shemariahu, north of Tel-Aviv.

The people in attendance are mainly Filipinos and Indians who are domestic workers in the area of Herzliya, Herzlya Ha Pituah and Nof Yam.

Written by Fr. Arturo Vasaturo ofm

Director of the Holy Land Secondary School in Jaffa, Cutodia.org, Nov 20, 2008

Archaeologists in Israel said on Thursday they had unearthed the oldest Hebrew text ever found, while excavating a fortress city overlooking a valley where the Bible says David slew Goliath.

The dig's uncovering of the past near the ancient battlefield in the Valley of Elah, now home to wineries and a satellite station, could have implications for the emotional debate over the future of Jerusalem, some 20 km (12 miles) away.

By Ari Rabinovitch, Reuters, Oct 30, 2008

“Maariv”,the second largest Hebrew nationwide Israeli newspaper ran a 2 page article by Efrat Zemer on the 13th of October about best schools in Israel.

Under the title “Being a Student – Schools That Have Amassed the Best Reputation” Maariv wrote the following in the subtitle:

“Eight Israeli high schools enjoy a high standing in Israeli education. The formula for success is not clear – but with their sparkling lists of graduates, it’s hard to argue.”

Special for Come and See, Oct 27, 2008