Writer Amy Welborn helps us understand and celebrate Christmas in a very Catholic way. There are four different Masses for Christmas: the Vigil, Midnight Mass, Mass at Dawn and Mass During the Day. Each has a distinct theme and different readings, reflecting
It's no longer as simple as a sleigh ride through the woods to join the whole family at grandma's for Christmas Day. Nevertheless, many of us make a trek, sometimes several times annually, to celebrate our holidays together. These days, we battle
The enduring legacy of Ebeneezer Scrooge’s “Bah Humbug!” from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” continues to resonate after nearly two centuries, reflecting sentiments of modern-day disillusionment with holiday fervor. Amid the commercialized season and declining religious affiliation, the “humbug” sentiment may well
Questions about Sunday and Christmas Masses in 2023 and about whether artificial plants or flowers can be used on the altar.
The virtue of its characters and the power of its narrative are what make “The Cricket on the Hearth” such a delightful tale. The story radiates the light of Christian charity, echoing themes of generosity and joy, focusing the luminosity of God’s
In a secular society that commences celebration preparations in October and attempts to sever Jesus from a certain Dec. 25 holiday, keeping Christ in Christmas each year requires an intentional approach for Catholics.
But for anyone who feels discouraged, Pope Francis has an
The Sunday after Thanksgiving a Twitter spat caught the eye of columnist Kathryn Jean Lopez. Rather than focusing on the coming of the Infant Jesus, the comments were about hell. Specifically, going to hell for putting up Christmas decorations early. In the
As Vatican workers continued to decorate the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square and to erect a platform for the Nativity scene, the office of papal liturgical ceremonies published the list of holiday Masses and prayer services Pope Francis would celebrate.
The Vatican
Colleen Pressprich explains the Jesse Tree: “Put quite simply, the Jesse Tree is the family tree of Jesus. It traces the lineage of Christ all the way back to Adam and Eve. In other words, the Jesse Tree connects the dots between
One promising way to get in the holiday mood is to watch a Christmas-themed movie. And, since yuletide films naturally tend to qualify as family-friendly, they can also provide an opportunity to gather the clan, make some popcorn and relax together.
Following, in