"I am with you". Christmas returns to Iraq

The first Christmas Eve Mass was held held in Mosul on Sunday 24th December 2017. This truly historic day marked the preparations for Christmas Day, to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. For Iraqi Christians, it also marked their first Christmas since the fall of Islamic State. As Jesus once stated; "know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time." 

On Sunday, people gathered in celebration of the Midnight Mass in Baghdad. According to Iraqi journalist Nermin Al-Mufti, the site of Baratha in northern Baghdad, was famous 2,000 years ago as the site where 70 "guardians" and 70 prophets were said to have prayed. Among them, it is claimed, was Jesus and his mother the Virgin Mary. 

Christians together with other religions in the city of Sulaimani commemorated Christmas at Mass, as the nation entered into a day of festivities. Religious leaders from the Muslim and Zoroastrian community also took part in the Mass. 

In the story of the nativity, Balthasar was one of the three kings (Magi) who travelled from Mesopotamia, to witness the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. The Greek word "magi" can be traced back to the Avestan language of Persia and was used to describe the Zoroastrian priestly class.