Church leaders point to inhospitable political atmosphere as they lock compounds at night; government ministries insist they are actively combating ill-treatment

Trailblazer Sally Azar recounts 'indescribable moment' she was ordained at Jerusalem Old City's Lutheran Church last month, laments community 'getting smaller by number every day'

Sally Azar, who will be one of five ordained women in the Middle East, to head English-speaking congregation at the Church of the Redeemer

Dbayeh camp keeps low profile during Christmas, and is regarded with suspicion by other Palestinians for its position during country's civil war

Worshipers from around the world come to Church of the Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus was born; city's hotels at full capacity, PA minister says

Church leaders say normally straightforward process of getting travel rights to visit Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and the West Bank has become very difficult

PA official says 55 Christian Palestinians from the coastal enclave have so far received permits to travel to Jerusalem and the West Bank during Christmas