http://www.freep.com/news/nw/iraq24e_20041224.htmBAGHDAD, Iraq -- Sabri Yohana sat in front of his Baghdad church this week cradling an assault rifle and delivering bad tidings: Christmas is canceled.
There would be no Christmas service. There would be no parties or tinsel-covered trees or tinny-voiced children's choir. Christmas in Iraq, he said, is the latest casualty in a guerrilla war that's taking on increasingly sectarian tones.
"Dozens of families from our congregation have left for Syria or Jordan or Western countries," Yohana said. "I can't even send my kids to school because it's so unsafe. For Christmas, we'll stay home. There's nowhere we can go, nowhere safe enough to take your wife and kids."
Thousands of Iraqi Christians won't be celebrating the birth of Jesus -- partly out of fear and partly to protest the violence plaguing the country. Christian leaders said they would hold short, subdued services but would forgo traditional pageants, caroling and feasts. Christmas Eve midnight masses at Catholic churches will be held this afternoon.
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"Last year, we put up a Christmas tree and decorated with lights and toys," said George, 19, who withheld his last name out of fear. "We went to church in the morning for prayers, then we'd visit relatives and have a nice lunch. I'm sad this year. We can't celebrate or pray because of the security situation."
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