Muslims and Christians unite under Christmas tree on site of Jesus' baptism

Jordan is celebrating Christmas and the peaceful relations between Christians and Muslims there by lighting up a 12-metre tree at the site popularly believed to be the location of Jesus' baptism.

The celebration, held on Sunday at a Lutheran church which stands on the baptism site on the Jordan River, focused on sending a message of peace and involved a performance by the Jordanian police band.

The event was hosted by the president of the Lutheran World Federation in Shouneh, who said: "It is a national day when we are lighting this tree to tell the world that living together Muslims and Christians is possible.

"Jordan has become a model and it is possible in Jordan, it can be possible all over the world."

News
Faith is increasingly about personal experience and authenticity, report suggests
Faith is increasingly about personal experience and authenticity, report suggests

Faith is "becoming an increasingly individualised and self-directed journey" among young people, research has found.

Christians back MSP's efforts to ban prostitution in Scotland
Christians back MSP's efforts to ban prostitution in Scotland

The SNP has been slow to act on the issue.

Moves to make RE part of the National Curriculum welcomed
Moves to make RE part of the National Curriculum welcomed

Scrapping the English Baccalaureate has also been welcomed by the Church of England and the worlds of theatre, art and music.

Verdict due in 'conversion therapy' case against ex-gay Christian
Verdict due in 'conversion therapy' case against ex-gay Christian

An EU official declared it should be illegal to say a person has left homosexuality.