As we close out the first decade of the new millennium, we remember some of the stories that set the stage for the news we expect to cover in 2011 and beyond.

Look back at excerpts from our conversations with reporters over the past 10 years about religion and its changing role in our world.

There were protests over a proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero, the recession continued to hurt religious groups, the Vatican faced a sex abuse crisis in Europe, and faith-based volunteers raced to help after Haiti's earthquake. We look back at some of the top religion stories of 2010.

"The most broadly based access to the developing world is through religious people," says the former president of the World Bank, "and so it is a tragedy if they are not embraced in the overall development process."

From generation to generation, adults and children have reenacted the story of the humble origins of Jesus and conveyed the Christmas message.

A new state law could shut down the city of Tucson's high school ethnic studies program. The state superintendent says ethnic studies divides students by race. Supporters say it teaches mutual respect and fosters a commitment to democracy.

A Christmas pageant, says Calvin College professor of music and worship John Witvliet, is one of the best places in modern culture to witness "a genuine sense of mystery and even solemnity."

On December 14, religious leaders held a prayer summit and "Jericho March" on Capitol Hill to urge senators to vote in favor of a bill that would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who were brought into the country by their parents and who go on to attend college or serve in the military.

Choral conductor Rafael Schaechter led Jewish singers and musicians in 16 performances of Verdi's Requem before Nazi audiences at the Terezin concentration camp during World War II. "We can sing to them what we cannot say to them," he declared.

Blockades, barriers, and post-election turmoil are preventing faith-based aid groups from safely doing their work.

"We hope to instill in our children what it takes to be a responsible, caring, and giving person who is God-conscious," says Kathy Jamil, principal of the Universal School in Buffalo.

This moving service of scripture readings, prayers, hymns, and carols was created after World War I at King's College Cambridge.

Hanukkah is "a good time to think about the miracles in our own lives," according to Dr. Erica Brown of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

"I see the future going in this direction, that more and more people will realize how important interreligious dialogue is," says Brother David, a Benedictine monk.

Author and consultant Rushworth Kidder says there can be unintended ethical consequences when people use powerful new social media.

For decades Brother David has lived part of his life as a hermit, in prayer and contemplation and writing books. The other half he travels the globe lecturing and leading retreats, helping people discover this "aliveness" in their own lives. Finding the deeply shared personal experience is at the heart of his work in inter-religious dialogue.

National Museum of American Jewish History

Veterans Day Slideshow

As the hajj comes to an end, Muslims distribute meat to the poor and recall Abraham's willingness to offer his son to God.

What war veterans need, says Rev. Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock of the Truth Commission on Conscience in War, "is for people to let them tell their stories and listen, and most congregations don't really have a clue how to do that."