For Christians in Iraq, there have been happier Christmases

After one of their darkest years in memory, these devotees gather in a Baghdad church -- many having fled their own towns after they fell to Islamic State.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ECONOMIC EXPERT, BASSIM JAMEEL ANTWAN, SAYING:

"Despite the fact that we have been exposed to various kinds of oppression and have been chased and hunted, we will stay here because it is our homeland. We hope that Jesus the Christ will bestow patience and consolation onto all displaced Iraqis and give them hope of returning to their homes."

But the current population is about a third what it was at its peak and a little over half what it was five years ago as more and more choose to move abroad.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) CHRISTIAN WOMAN FROM BAGHDAD, LANA HAZIM, SAYING:

"This feast differs from previous ones in that the number of people attending is getting smaller. In previous years, the church used to be full of people t