This year the Christmas classic “It’s A Wonderful Life” hit closer to home than ever for Managing Editor Paul McMullen.

Nine years ago today we met our older son. The past nine years have been the blink of an eye and yet forever, all at the same time.

Say what you want about his prudence. I will speak of him with honor.

The weeks leading up to Christmas are their own gift, offering a time for us to ready our hearts and consider the enormity of the real miracle of Christmas.

Christmas reminds us that God, as Christ, has entered our world again in person to let us know that God never abandons us, that evil ultimately will not triumph.

We all wanted some definitive answers by now. God willing, February and June – the next U.S. bishops meeting – will bring the remedies that victim-survivors of sexual abuse, and the whole church, desperately need. 

Pope Francis often tells us to accompany one another on the bumpy road of life. He means that we need to focus, not on ourselves, but on the other. This is what the gift of presence means.

Father Doyle fields questions about single parents and depictions of the Crucifixion.

Advent simply nudges us to make space in our lives for Jesus. It assures us that the Son of God is coming.

Kevin Parks, Catholic Review visual journalist, reflects on some recent assignments that bring the preciousness of life and joy into focus.