Christians pray for peace after trying year

LONDON -- Christians around the world prayed for peace Christmas Day after a year filled with terror and war.

Reminders of conflict abounded Tuesday -- Jesus' birthplace was at the center of a dispute between Israel and the Palestinians, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein denounced the United States and the commander of America's Afghan war warned of more fighting to come elsewhere.

"Christ's birth in Bethlehem so long ago remains a powerful symbol of hope for a better future," said Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in her annual Christmas message. "After all the tribulations of this year, this is surely more relevant than ever."

The Sept. 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon left thousands of families facing Christmas without a loved one, and thousands of soldiers celebrating far from home.

In Kandahar, Afghanistan, U.S. Marines tried to celebrate despite a state of alert for what officials said was a possible Christmas Day threat.

"It's always very hard to be away from my family at a time when we usually all come together," U.S. Marine Sgt. Joseph Chenelly said.

British troops joined Americans for a Christmas dinner of turkey and pumpkin pie at Bagram air base near Kabul. Soldiers used satellite telephones to call home and the Brits and Americans faced off in a game of football.

About 3,500 American peacekeepers in Kosovo ate Christmas dinner and had a snowball fight.

Christmas made it to most corners of the world, even Bangladesh, where the Muslim-led government extended messages of goodwill and a small Christian community celebrated with masses and carols.