COVER
Behind the First Noel (Cover Story)
Who were the wise men? What about that star? And is it possible Jesus was born in Nazareth? How the story of Christ's birth came to be
ASIA
The Terror Threat Continues (Viewpoint)
Despite some success, President Bush must continue to confront extremists
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
A Dangerous Lark
In Chasing the Dragon, journalist Roy Rowan recalls his adventures amid the chaos of 1940s China
GLOBAL ADVISER
Treats Are a Trap (TIME Global Adviser)
But by following a few holiday rules, kids can have their cake and eat it too
Dog Days Of Winter (TIME Global Adviser)
It's not just for artic explorers anymore: Take a dogsledding tour of the world's coldest hot spots
Screen Gems (TIME Global Adviser)
Once the art world's poor relation, film and video are coming of ageas two shows at London's Tate galleries prove
Living for the City (TIME Global Adviser)
The power of the Pharaoh is at your fingertips in Immortal Cities: Children of the Nile
Style Watch (TIME Global Adviser)
The Art of the Close Shave
Under The Volcano (TIME Global Adviser)
Verne's volcano overlooks Iceland's latest must-stay hotel
SPECIAL REPORT
The Best Pictures of the Year
The most compelling images of 2004, from Baghdad's bloodshed to Saturn's brilliance
BUSINESS
A Whole Lot to Swallow
Squeezed at home, China's biggest computer maker, Lenovo, is buying IBM's money-losing PC business. But venturing abroad is fraught with risk
BRIEFING
Check and Balance (Notebook)
An electoral upset puts a damper on Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's agenda
Back to Reality (Notebook)
Wary consumers and a plunging dollar are dampening Japan's recovery
Ch. Jiahu, with Hawthorn Accents (Notebook)
Did China make the world's first wine, 9,000 years ago?
Milestones (Notebook)
Japan's princess engaged
Verbatim (Notebook)
Quotes of the week
Letters (Notebook)
The Best of Asia