FoxNews had a headline article on Christmas highlighting “Christmas in Afghanistan.”  One of the more interesting parts of the article:

Afghans who support the coalition troops respect the holiday, [US Marine Chaplain (Capt) William] Kennedy said.

“We’re in a Muslim country, but the Muslims venerate Jesus as a prophet and the people I’ve met, whether it’s the locals or ANA (Afghan army), the mullahs, they respect the fact that we’re a religious people,” Kennedy told AFP.

(In a contrast to the Chaplain’s supportive perceptions of the local population, an activist group once tried to claim public American military celebrations of Easter were “convinc[ing] the Muslims we’re on a crusade.”) 

While Americans celebrated freely in Afghanistan, local Iraqi Christians “toned down” their Christmas celebrations in Iraq over fear of attacks.  It appears American military services in Iraq may have been “toned down” a bit as well, despite the “end” of combat, though Soldiers were still able to celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah.  (Note the Jewish celebrants were mixed rank and armed, as is normal in these circumstances regardless of religion.)

Last week, President Obama used his weekly address to deliver a Christmas message and encourage Americans to step out in service of the sacrificing members of the US military and their families:

Because this is the season when we celebrate the simplest yet most profound gift of all: the birth of a child who devoted his life to a message of peace, love, and redemption. A message that says no matter who we are, we are called to love one another…

Today, we’re also thinking of those who can’t be home for the holidays – especially all our courageous countrymen serving overseas…

America’s brave servicemen and women represent a small fraction of our population. But they and the families who await their safe return carry far more than their fair share of the burden. They’ve done everything they’ve been asked to do. They’ve been everything we’ve asked them to be. And even as we speak, many are fighting halfway around the globe – in hopes that someday, our children and grandchildren won’t have to.

US House Rep Joe Pitts (R-PA) delivered the Republican address, also acknowledging the military’s service and emphasizing the heart of the Christmas message:

Behind the splendor of the Christmas season lies a simple and inspiring story of how a single birth spread a message of love and salvation throughout the world, one that continues to resonate across this and other lands…Scriptures tell us, in him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Via the Religion Clause, the Army Chaplaincy Blog, and CNN.