this is the ssag of bethlehem. this is the message of the prince of peace, our lord, jesus christ. >> tens of thousands of visitors are expected in bethlehem in the coming days. this year has seen record numbers. >> i think it is a great thing to be here in bethlehem. everybody seems to be so happy. >> they are happy to be so close to this special place where the scriptures say jesus christ was bo more than 2000 years ago. >> the vatican is preparing for a traditional christmas midnight mass. pope benedict xvi will provide -- preside over the ceremony. the radio message was delivered to the british people on the bbc on wednesday, on the importance of christmas. he said the birth of christ has brought liberation, though not by military or political means. the first ever message of its kind on the bbc. pope benedict's visit -- visit to september in december. a brief window of whether opportunity in europe seems to be shutting down again, just as international hubs clear the backlog of stranded passengers, on came the

i work in the palestinian territories i go every day to bethlehem and i said in bethlehem and i said we ensure it was selim and i'm telling from furthest. experience fairness life experience we are not being persecuted by muslims in the best claim area sometimes there are conflicts between muslims and christians but mainly because of greed maybe because of many different things because we are a minority in a big islamic majority but we are not persecuted i go to the west bank i'm not afraid of my muslim brothers and sisters they treat me with daughter respect and i treat them with total respect and this is that he and i t. daphne you want to jump in there go ahead daphne but isn't there isn't there any enforcement and attempt to enforce. of behavioral way of life but they could only. clear not. christian women in the outer. garments see that yes but do you see. and experience that do you want to respond to that. we are not persecuting i would i would definitely. yeah i didn't use i didn't i know i would never use the word persecution is a very strong word however i would there is a d

whether or not we can prove that those specific wise men came to bethlehem bethlehem, it's an impossibilityt there is a tradition there, which is linked to it. >> reporter: scholars debate the historical reality of the magi story, but the meaning of their miraculous journey has been part of christian worship from the very beginning. >> this is the kind of a story that is evocative enough mysterious enough, magical enough, if you will and historical enough to ground down into, to be rooted in to see ourselves in either as giver or recipient, for instance. and at the same time to want to make ourthe story our own. >> reporter: that's exactly what an unknown writer did 1700 years ago in "the revelation of the magi." it's an ancient text. >> yes absolutely. >> reporter: brent land draw translated from the only known copy of it kept in the vatican library. it's a very different story from the traditional one. the star is the most startling and mystical difference. >> the star kind of -- its light concentrates and reveals the small, luminous human being. >> reporter: the star becomes -- >> a star

i work in the palestinian territories i go every day to bethlehem and i said in bethlehem and i said being sure it was selim and i'm telling from first. experience fairness life experience we are not to be persecuted by muslims in the best area sometimes there are conflicts between muslims and christians but mainly because of greed maybe because of many different things because we are a minority in a big islamic majority but we are not persecuted i go to the west bank i'm not afraid of my muslim brothers and sisters they treat me with daughter respect and i treat them with total respect and this is that he had a team of japanese you want to jump in there go ahead daphne but isn't there isn't there any enforcement and attempt to enforce. of behavioral way off life but they could only. not. listen cushion women in the latter. are just irish. they are a common see come on at best steadily and his friend telling c.n.n. almost come and see that yes but you see i lived there i want to tell you and i just hand experience that do you want to respond to that. we are not persecuted i would i w

thousands converged in bethlehem. jerusalem's latin patriarch will be holding a mass at the church of the nativity, where jesus is believed to have been born. over in rome, the pope is leading proceedings. he is celebrating mass in st. peter's basilica, of late renaissance church situated in the vatican. earlier, he appeared on of flagship british radio show. the broadcast was secure after months of negotiation between the bbc and the vatican. >> i take this opportunity to greet you once again and all listeners everywhere as we prepare to celebrate the birth of christ. >> and now he hopes the message of peace will reach here and here. already the palestinian president has expressed hope for the new year. >> seeking peace, and the master and this is jesus. we wish that next year will be the year of peace by establishing the independent palestinian state with jerusalem as its capital, living side-by- side with the israeli state in peace and security. >> the focus remains on the future with a celebration of the past. bbc

this is the message of bethlehem. this is the message of the prince of peace, our lord, jesus christ. >> tens of thousands of visitors are expected in bethlehem in the coming days. this year has seen record numbers. >> i think it is a great thing to be here in bethlehem. everybody seems to be so happy. >> they are happy to be so close to this special place where the scriptures say jesus christ was born more than 2000 years ago. >> the vatican is preparing for a traditional christmas midnight mass. pope benedict xvi will provide -- preside over the ceremony. the radio message was delivered to the british people on the bbc on wednesday, on the importance of christmas. he said the birth of christ has brought liberation, though not by military or political means. the first ever message of its kind on the bbc. pope benedict's visit -- visit to september in december. a brief window of whether opportunity in europe seems to be shutting down again, just as international hubs clear the backlog of stranded passengers, on came t

the pope says a child born in bethlehem brought liberation, not by political means. if you have some last minute christmas shopping, you are unlikely to go to another country to buy presents. but that is exactly what some swiss shoppers are doing. a week euro has provided them a bit of christmas cheer. >> it is the time of gifts in northern europe, and this year a dollop of extra german generosity is extending to the neighboring suisse. here just inside germany, and just inside the eurozone, the swiss franc is drawings with bargain hunters. they like the exchange rates. and they like the fact that they can reclaim the tax on german purchases. this shopper says swiss people come because of the low euro and because with every item bought the get a ticket with which they can reclaim a 19% sales tax. the swiss drive across the border, part of the german stores, and then return with their cars full of goodies. the swiss man said he does not save money overall -- he just buys more. it is the converse on the other side of the border in switzerland, just outside the eurozone

bethlehem's population is 80% muslim.nd six of the eight newborns are muslim, by coincidence, two sets of triplets. [ inaudible ] >> reporter: it's unseasonably hot today, over 70 fahrenheit. and with america and europe in the icy grip of an early winter, here there's a drought. which prompted the latin patriarch, the catholic's top clergymen in the holy land, to add a new christmas wish. he asked god to "send us rain in winter, decides peace and justice and dignity for all." martin fletcher, nbc news. >>> when we come back, baby talk with a twist. can sign language give kids a head start in life? as much as i can about a company before i invest in it. that's why i like fidelity. they give me tools and research i can't get anywhere else. their stock screener lets me search for stocks with more than 140 criteria. i can see what their experts are thinking and even call them to bounce an idea off of one of their investment professionals. a good strategy relies on good insight. if you wanted to learn more about a company, i t

bethlehem is the town where jesus is said to have been born. unless urgent repairs are carried out at the centuries- old charge of the nativity, visitation may have to be restricted and in the future. >> christmas where it all started, in bethlehem. yet again this year, thousands of tourists and christian programs that come to this palestinian west bank town, at the place where they believe jesus was born more than 2000 years ago. yet the focal point is the imposing nativity church. build and the 14th century, it has been damaged by wars and rebuild many times. it is protected in an uneasy agreement with three different churches. the tension between the various denominations can take different forms. if all month uses the wrong staircase, the zero plays can be -- if a monk uses the wrong staircase, the whole place can be closed down for hours. yethe 500-year-old group is the greatest cause for concern. local authorities are standing in the way of critical repairs. >> it is made of wood since the 14th century. it needs to be restored again. beca

loved her to death, i say. >> herod orders a massacre in bethlehem. every male under the age of 2 killed an event prophesied by jeremiah more than 600 years before it happened. joseph and mary fled to egypt. journey predict by the prophet sea and fulfilled in the gospel of matthew. >> hosea 11:1, isaiah was a child i loved him, my son. some say it was misqted. non sense. his audience would know the whole verse, when israel was a child, i loved hi just as it happened to israel, so it happened to the messiah. you have this pattern over and over again. >> nowhere is it more powerful than the book of isaiah. spoke of a child born of a virgin, wonderful counselor, mighty god, ever lastingfather and prince of peace. words of isaiah were copied by scribes hidden in caves and protected more than 2,000 years when the dead sea scrolls were redisvered found completely in tact. >> one scroll that has had more impact upon the world's than any other scroll that was found here is the great isaiah scroll. >> this is the oldest known copy of the book of isaiah. it is

. >> apparently, bethlehem is so last year. so what did bay area children have to contribute to this tale. >> i've heard the story and a bunch of animals come to his house. >> does it have anything to do with baby jesus? >> no. i'm pretty sure it was like a shed. >> barn, shed or manger, it's a bit heisey but we do know there were wise men. >> the two wise men were walking for a very long time. >> are you sure it's two? >> i'm sure. >> reporter: what makes themselves wise? >> because they are smart. >> those two smart more from baltimore loved baby jesus so much, they -- [ audio difficulty ] >> frankenstein, was he there? are you sure? three wise men came and they brought him presents. what do you think they brought him? >> toys and a tote truck. that's what i think. >> reporter: so we've got baby jesus, mary, and fringe dash frankenstein. then santa came in. >> that's the true story of christmas. >> reporter: and to all a good night. cbs 5. >> got to have a tow truck. >>> more americans can say i will be home for christmas. we

i wish they could have got to know bethlehem and seen where jesus was born.ish they had the chance to learn about their country. >> in bethlehem on the west bank, children held the traditional christmas parade for peace. calling themselves children without borders, they are urged people to live in harmony in the holy land. i injures a limb, shimon peres welcome to a children's choir from nazareth. the northern israeli city with the predominantly arab population. >> i would like to see the support community and send my -- [unintelligible] >> they expect more than 90,000 pilgrims in the country over the christmas time. >> now to soccer and to thee lat 16 of the german cup. the top managers had than all bundesliga shutdown. it was packed with drama. nine goals from two records from a one missed penalty. later, winners. -- bayern was the winner. >> bayern the lead after six minutes. gomez made it 2-0. bayern look like they were going to win, but stuttgart had other ideas. this player claude went back. just before halftime, the big russian added his second, and st

truman went on and said, the message of bethlehem best sums up our hopes tonight. if we as a nation and the other nations of the world will accept it, the star of faith will guide us into the place of peace as it did the shepherds on that day of christ's birth long ago. i'm sorry to say all is not in harmony in the world today. we have found that it is easier for men to die together on the field of battle than it is for

. >> there has been a record number of tourist in bethlehem this ye, now there is literally room at the end. hotel rooms fully booked due in part to declining violence in the west bank. all right 1 .4 milli tourists have visited the original birthplace of jesus. 90,000 people will visit before christmas in frontof the church. would be great to be there. >>> a new take on the greatest story ever told, twitter and facebookusers see a unique>> natwivity. >> through tweets and posts they are experiencing what it might have been likefor joseph, mary, and even herod. >> it is a story being toldfor over 2,000 years in the same well preserved way. we all know it, joseph and mary's journey to bring the baby jesus into the world. >> as busy shoppers pass this one, the story of christmas is coming to facebook and twitt in the form of naivity. they can follow the christmas story, 140 character messages used on twitter. sent bycharacters in the christmas story sharing their thoughts as they take part in the greatest story ever told. here joseph announcehe is on the way to bethlehem for the census an

visitors are bouncing back after a decade of violence that left bethlehem virtually deserted at christmashundreds have crammed into the historic cathedral in beijing. crowds who couldn't get inside stood outside to watch the celebration on two large screens. although christmas isn't a public holiday in crine -- china, it's increasingly recognized as a religious and commercial event. >>> west african regional leaders have worned incumbent ivory coast president laurent gbagbo to stand down or expect to face legitimate force. our report from the main estimate >> after days of standoff, he is trying to up the pressure on laurent gbagbo. he spoke from the lagoon site where he remains holed up. the man endorsed as the new president of ivory coast has accused his opponent, laurent gbagbo of violence. he said he called on the international criminal court to send investigators to the country. the address came at the same time as an emergency meeting by the west african body during which neighboring countries warned mr. gbagbo he -- they would use force if he doesn't leave power himself. >> by his

. >> well, from the vatican to bethlehem to the war torn areas of afghanistan people around the world concerns and conflicts to celebrate prison. karen brown on christmas rituals around the world. >> hundreds of digital cameras captured the pope in the vatican. despite heightened security concerns pope benedict was able to rush in christmas. recent bombings at two embassies in rome and two incidents at mass in 2008 an 2009 had put officials on edge. in bethlehem thousands were celebrating not only jesus' birth. >> it is awesome. >> reporter: with a halt in fighting 20,000 more were to atten the mass this year. troops took abreact welcome santa as best they can. >> we are here doing a job. of course i will rather be home with my family and friends. >> reporter: as all around the globe family, friends and even strangers gathered to celebrate their faith and to teach the next generation the true meaning of christmas. karen brown, cbs5 news. >>> raiders hope peyton manning doesn't give them a headache on sunday. and all the one mississippi state player wanted with a popcorn but he ended u

. >>> celebration of christmas is in full-swing in bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of jesus. and this year, there are many reasons to celebrate beyond the holiday itself. tourism officials say a record number of visitors, about 1.4 million, have already come to bethlehem in 2010, thanks in part to a decline in violence. and they expect close to 100,000 more tourists will come during this holiday season to see the historic sites associated with the birth of jesus. >>> for almost 2000 years, christians have told the nativity story. it's been conveyed countless times in art, music and through reenactments based on the gospel accounts. indeed, for churches, the christmas pageant is one of the best-loved traditions of the season. kim lawton has our story. ♪ silent night >> reporter: at the first united methodist church of pasadena they're rehearsing for the annual christmas pageant. there's been a pageant here done by the children for as long as anyone can remember. the scripts vary from year to year, but the basic storyline never changes. it's about the birth of jesus. >> childre

i wish they could have got to know bethlehem and seen where jesus was born.ish they had the chance to learn about their country. >> in bethlehem on the west bank, children held the traditional christmas parade for peace. calling themselves children without borders, they are urged people to live in harmony in the holy land. i injures a limb, shimon peres welcome to a children's choir from nazareth. the northern israeli city with the predominantly arab population. >> i would like to see the support community and send my -- [unintelligible] >> they expect more than 90,000 pilgrims in the country over the christmas time. >> now to soccer and to the last 16 of the german cup. the top managers had than all bundesliga shutdown. it was packed with drama. nine goals from two records from a one missed penalty. later, winners. -- bayern was the winner. >> bayern the lead after six minutes. gomez made it 2-0. bayern look like they were going to win, but stuttgart had other ideas. this player claude went back. just before halftime, the big russian added his second, and st

the christmas eve and bethlehem. thousands of people are there. >> it's christmas eve in bethlehem just outside the church of the nativity thousands of christians from across the world have flocked to as the city to come to a place where jesus was born. but according to the mayor of bethlehem up 64% from last year 1.4 million have come to the city this year alone. he says around 90,000 expected over the christmas period. according to a is people are not coming for our to book coming for night or two and all the hotels are full. >> the citizens of bethlehem this is what we need. pilgrim staying in our hotel is eating in our restaurants. this way the coming in of the taurus are breaking down walls of separation thrown up. >> it's a bit of his suit but it's great to. >> we are seeing not only yes chooses we are here, we are all brothers. >> it's amazing all the things the country has been through to make sure people friend and warming it's a lovely thing. >> many penicillins are saying they are spending another christma

christmas eve around the world and christians are celebrated in bethlehem. this is a parade their thousands of pilgrims will make their way to the church of inactivity. we will be right back. a quick look at the next seven days and a today get out there and enjoy it but definitely bring a thick sweater or jacket with u.s. will start off cold this morning it will even get very hot. 59 degrees sister i today inland and then rinse tomorrow and sunday. clears out beginning next week and then the rain continues. speaking of rain the latest storms in southern california state of emergency has been declared in three additional california counties bring the total number county is now affected to nine. even though the rain is giving way to sunshine the damage there are ready done. the threat of mudslides will continue for weeks. rob shows us some of the areas hardest hit. >> the mud left behind in highlands near 3 2 ft. deep in some places washed down the mud has surrounded homes and swallowed hundreds of cars and everything else in its path. in san diego it surround

♪ let tidings of comfort and joy comfort and joy ♪ ♪ whoa tidings of comfort and joy ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ in bethlehemke in scorn ♪ ♪ o' tidings of comfort and joy comfort and joy ♪ ♪ o' tidings of comfort and joy ♪ ♪ from god our heavenly father ♪ ♪ a blessed angel came and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same ♪ ♪ how that in bethlehem was born the son of god by name ♪ ♪ o' tidings of comfort and joy comfort and joy ♪ ♪ o' tidings of comfort and joy ♪ "fear not then," said the angel ♪ ♪ "let nothing you affright this day is born a saviour of a pure virgin bright ♪ ♪ to free all those who trust in him from satan's power and might" ♪ ♪ o' tidings of comfort and joy comfort and joy ♪ ♪ o' tidings of comfort and joy ♪ ♪ now to the lord sing praises all you within this place ♪ ♪ and with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace ♪ ♪ this holy tide of christmas all other doth deface ♪ ♪ o' tidings of comfort and joy comfort and joy ♪ ♪ o' tidings of comfort and joy ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> jimmy: beautiful. thank you, thank you so much. beautiful. annie lennox! pick up the ne

they attended mass at bethlehem's church of the nativity.shippers packed the roman catholic church where the traditional site of jesus' birth is enshrined. another bout of violence in the middle east. killed two suspected palestinian terrorists today. a helicopter gunship attacked the two as they were trying to plant an explosive device in southern gaza. along the border where israeli soldiers patrol. palestinians gathered at the scene and they ran when gunshots were heard. tensions are increasing again along the border after two years of relative calm that came when israel invaded gaza to prevent palestinian rocket attacks. now excalculating who is tilts against israel. while many of us travel for christmas, we remember those far from home for another reason. men and women that serve in the armed forces. spent christmas day with the 101st airborne in afghanistan. >> merry chris. >> soldiers from the 101st airborne task force destiny so far from home relished a reminder of home, this case a lavish display filled with christmas favorites. (in

about 90,000 visitors are expected in bethlehem this year. >> time is running out for everyone who stillhristmas shopping to do. if you need an idea, we may be able to help. 7 on your side's michael finney with a new take on an old giving idea. >> this shopping season gift cards are looking like a pretty good idea. these racks in safe way are getting a good going over by shoppers. you know about gift cards but probably not this one. it's different. causes charity gift card. donate to your choice of 1 million charities. >> what we're trying to do is make giving more available to people. we think giving is a social activity. we call the gift card the gift of giving. >> that's joe green. he heads up the charity and activism site causes.com. there have been single charity gift cards but they didn't catch on. where's the fun or activism in that. but this idea, people like it. these two both bought the causes gift card after hearing about them from friends. >> it's the season to give and hopefully some of my causes will keep us in mind for the rest of the year as well. >> you're shaking your h

. >> a little sound of bethlehem is seeing the biggest crowd in years. israeli military officials say more than 100,000 pilgrims and tourists have poured into the west bank town since christmas eve. that is twice as many as last year. hotel rooms were booked solid for the weeks. worshipers packed the roman catholic church next to the grotto the traditional site where jesus is enshrined. >>> this home near sanchez and 16th streets in san francisco has white butcher paper plastered on the garage with markers. passerbys have filled it with messages. homeowner says it's a way to encourage people to stop and smell the roses. >> the malls will be filled with shoppers again tomorrow for the beginning of the post christmas shopping rush. besides the wave of returns, bargain hunters will be looking for after christmas sales. a strong christmas eve bolstered spectacular sales. some stores like best buy will open at 7:00 a.m. in the morning. spend will go will be up 3.3% from last year. internet sales are up 15.4%. >> lisa argen is here with the accu-weather seven-

an estimated 9,000 visitors from around the world are gathered in bethlehem, the birth place of jesusn the chris tradition. they will be focussed on the church of the nativity. >> for families, for children. for those who are sick and for those who are going through any form of hardship at this time. >> at the vatican, pope benedict with the first of its kind radio address for a christmas mass held later today. >> britain's queen elizabeth will give her annual holiday speech tomorrow. a preview of her message reveals she'll promote the benefit of sports in building communities and showing video of princes william and harry. >> and in thailand -- take a look at this -- elephants dressed as santa claus were handing out presents and entertaining children in a town of north bangkok because the kids were quick to snatch up the toys from the elephants' trunk. >> in afghanistan one father is not only apart from his family but he was away when his wife gave birth to their first child but he found a way to witness the unforgettable moment. that's sergeant ken pompilli in afghanistan who spoke

. >> we had a baby born in bethlehem in the stable there. so, it was just absolutely amazing. >> reporter: fifteen minutes after entering the world she was on her feet. yes, it's a girl. >> our minister of music came up with the name beth as in bethlehem. >> reporter: she was certainly not scripted to have the starring role, it seems there's no better way to keep a crowd's attention than with a surprise ending. >> not quite the same as the birth that you know we normally think of. but still, it was a reminder of that. >> pretty cute. that was susan elizabeth littlefield reporting. >>> now we will send it over to charlie. you've pretty cute guest next you to and i am not just talking about the dog also aileen gabbey. >> maryland spc-a. aileen is with us and we have a special friend this morning. this is jackson. he is our pet of the week. and aileen you talked about this guy that needs love. >> he does. he is a little confused and he is a little shy. so, a nice quiet house with time to spend with him and train him would be great. he's nice li

. >>> this christmas eve, people are flocking to bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of jesus.s of thousands of people have gathered there. this holiday shapes up to the the largest sips the year 2000 helped in part by unseasonably mild weather. the festivity include marching band and the singing of christmas carols in arabic. palestinian policemen are also hosted around towns to hold the peace. >>> thousands of u.s. servicemen and women are spending the holidays in afghanistan. so the top u.s. commander flew to mute them. displ. a two-alarm fire gut add petaluma home this crist eve. the home on lombardi avenue was fully engulfed when fire crews arrived. firefighters entered the home on word that someone might be inside. but turns out two men live in the home but one of them spent the holiday at lake tahoe. the other men and two dogs were in the house. they managed to escape without injuries. investigators have yet to determine the cause of that fire >>> the sewage spill in marin county is much, much big are that first thought. officials now say that as much as 3 million-gallon

season got under way with fanfare at the annual celebration by the chunch church of nativity in bethlehem. palestinian authorities hope the festivities will attract more tourists to the west bank town. at the vatican, pope benedict 16th provided over the annual service in st. peters basilica. many churches here in the u.s. hold a special services called the lessons of carol. i took a popular look at this popular pre-christmas tradition. ♪ with scripture and song, the festival of lessons and carols retells the christmas story, and for many it's a moving spiritual experience. lessons in carols is not a concert. it's not where you're going to applaud at everything. you're going to allow yourself to meditate at a much deeper place. the service intersperses prayers, carols and bible readings, traditionally nine passages called lessons. >> then the lord god say to the woman, what is this you have done? the woman says this doesn't trick me. >> the readings start at the beginning with with the book of j genesis and the book of adam and eve sitting in the garden and damning their relationship with

officials in bethlehem said turnout could be the largest in 10 years., in our newsroom, for what's on the "newshour" online. hari? >> sreenivasan: we pick up where paul left off with a video up of performances of handel's "messiah" with contributions from local pbs stations, "newshour" staff and many others. find that on "the rundown." on "art beat," jeff wraps up a series of end of the year conversations. tonight, the most under- appreciated albums of the year. plus our readers and staff weigh in with lists of their favorite films, books and music. all that and more is on our web site: newshour.pbs.org. margaret? >> warner: and that's the "newshour" for tonight. on monday, we'll have the first of a two-part look at how the federal health care reform law is playing out across the country. i'm margaret warner. >> brown: and i'm jeffrey brown. "washington week" can be seen later this evening on most pbs stations. we'll see you online and again here monday evening. have a very merry christmas. thank you and good night. major funding for the pbs newshour ha

in bethlehem thousands were celebrating not only jesus' birth but one of the area's most peaceful christmas within a decade. >> this is when everything started. >> with help in fighting between israelis and palestinians, 20,000 more tourists were expected this year. while in afghanistan american troops took a break to welcome santa as best they could. >> we're doing a job, we have to be here, but i'd rather be home with my family and friends. >> all around the globe including saint patrick's cathedral in new york, family, friends and strangers gathered to celebrate their faith and to teach the next generation the true meaning of christmas. karen brown, cbs news. >>> it is a tough day to be a long way from home. >> it's my first christmas away from home here in iraq. they gave us beautiful decorations and we're really enjoying it. >> more on how you and soldiers are created to special holiday season. killed at least 45 people. >>> president obama is condemning the suicide bombing in pakistan that killed at least 45 people. the bomber was a woman wearing a -- she targeted hundreds of people l

in bethlehem, an estimated 100,000 pilgrims made the journey to the birthplace of christ. officials say that's double the number that visited last year. security, as always also, was tight but the scene was calm and joyful. back in the u.s., there's a double-barreled blast of winter under way. one storm is making a mess in the south, and now a blizzard warning as a nor'easter is preparing to slam the east coast. the national weather service forecasts 11-16 inches possible from new jersey north. whiteout and blizzard conditions and wind gusts up to 55 miles per hour. for those trying to get home from their holiday visits, the dream of a white christmas might end up more of a nightmare. elaine quijano now with more. >> reporter: the punishing winter weather continues to leave its mark after a week that saw torrential flooding and mudslides in southern california and snowy conditions in most of the midwest. overnight, it also brought something rarely seen in parts of the south-- snow on christmas morning. in chattanooga, tennessee, where about three inches fell, residents rel

thousands of pilgrims flocking to the town of bethlehem. several festivities are planned and the latin patriarch will lead midnight mass. a recent decline in violence brought it back to the west bank. hotel occupancy rates are above 70% compared to a few years ago. >>> let's get a check of the weekend forecast with the christmas day forecast and a few days after that in the seven-day forecast. christina loren is here to do this. >> i few bag of tricks because today will be nice. tomorrow christmas day a powerful winter storm moves in. you want to be rate for that. temperature-wise, comfortable in the east bay and 42 in oakland. as we head throughout the day, you will notice the winds picking up substantially overnight. there is a wind advisory posted for the coastal areas and that will be the case until tomorrow morning. keep that in mind. northwest wind at about 5 miles per hour. calm winds for the east bay. 56 degrees in livermore. 59 degrees in redwood city and 57 in san mateo and the east bay also looks like we will see clouds increasin