Despite difficult Christmas season in Bethlehem devoid of tourists, local Christians have hope December 21, 2023By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, World News Now, the streets of Bethlehem — normally filled with pilgrims at this time of the year — are empty, and many stores and restaurants dependent on tourism are closed.
Good, hidden deeds are a service to the church, pope tells employees December 21, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Like God’s decision to be born in a manger tucked away from the world, good deeds done in silence can express God’s love wherever they are performed, Pope Francis said.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul groups’ personal charity shows neighbors ‘this is Christmas’ December 20, 2023By Robert Alan Glover OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, World News A dedicated group of Catholic — and non-Catholic — volunteers is showing how the Christmas joy of helping the less fortunate lasts all year round.
Pope: Gifts and parties are OK, but don’t forget Jesus at Christmas December 20, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Exchanging Christmas gifts and organizing holiday parties are all well and good, but Christians should contemplate the scene of Jesus’ birth to recover what is truly important during the Christmas season, Pope Francis said.
Christmas in a time of war December 20, 2023By George Weigel Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary, The Catholic Difference What shall we make of the burning Holy Land, during a Christmastide when we celebrate the angelic announcement of a messianic birth that marks the inbreaking of the peaceable kingdom of Isaiah 11:6-9?
Celebrating the Incarnation, remember Bethlehem, too, pope says December 18, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News When St. Francis of Assisi staged the first Nativity scene 800 years ago, he did so to remind people of the powerful, awe-inspiring truth that God became human in Jesus, Pope Francis said.
Christmas still calls December 18, 2023By Carole Norris Greene Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen, Christmas, Commentary God will never dishonor himself by going back on this tremendous gift of free will. And when our choices cause us pain, God never stops encouraging us to “confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” (Heb 4:16).
Ukraine’s war-torn Christians look ahead to first Christmas shared with West December 17, 2023By Jonathan Luxmoore OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, War in Ukraine, World News When Ukraine’s embattled citizens gather this Christmas, their rich festivities will feel symbolically different — as the festival is celebrated for the first time on Dec. 25, in line with the Western calendar.
How to celebrate a Catholic Christmas December 16, 2023By Amy Welborn OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary For Catholics, Dec. 25 is only the beginning of the celebration of Christmas. As others pack away the decorations, we continue to celebrate the gift of Christ, ever present for us in the Eucharist — a continual manifestation of God’s loving care for us all year long.
At Christmas, God remains with us through war and poverty, pope says December 15, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Christmas season is a reminder to Christians that despite hardships, God chose to join himself to humanity and still remains by its side, Pope Francis said.
‘Christ before me’: Pray the Breastplate of St. Patrick at the manger December 14, 2023By Father Patrick Briscoe OSV News Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Commentary The shepherd of shepherds will lead the way through unknown paths of life.
Plenary indulgence available for 800th anniversary of first Nativity scene December 12, 2023By Adriana Montes Catholic Review Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Feature, Local News, News Catholics will have the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence from Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to Feb. 2, 2024, the feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple.
