For the Catholic Marist Brothers of Aleppo, one of nearly a dozen Christian communities in Syria's second city, today's most pressing question is how to decorate the Christmas tree.
In the days since a lightning offensive spearheaded by Islamist rebels overthrew former president Bashar al-Assad, the country's new rulers have sought to reassure Syria's religious minorities.
The efforts have been successful, at least "for now," said Brother Georges Sabe, who took part earlier this week in a meeting between rebels and local Christian representatives.