Bring Hope to the World
It is small wonder that the early church chose Dec. 25 to represent the day that Christ was born. Just after the winter solstice, the day of the year in which we experience the longest night, the birth of Jesus…
Tag Christmas
Faith is More than a Starbucks Cup
A post appeared on my Facebook newsfeed the other day asserting Starbucks’ newest coffee cup attacks Christianity and its celebration of Christmas. I disregarded the post at first and assumed it was from the satirical news site, The Onion. To my dismay, however,…
A Holy Family for Us All
Much of what we believe about Jesus of Nazareth testifies to his uniqueness. Divine, Son of God, miracle worker, healer, wise teacher. But on the Feast of the Holy Family we are reminded of how much he held in common…
Following in the Footsteps of St. Stephen
If you’re like me at this time of year, when you hear the name of St. Stephen your mind likely turns first to Christmas carols. The first few verses of Good King Wenceslas probably pop into your head because, as…
The Grace, Mercy and Tender Love of God
“On this night, like a burst of brilliant light, there rings out the proclamation of the Apostle: “God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race” (Tit 2:11). The grace which was revealed…
Friday Favourites: Living Christmas
On pages 28 and 29 of Living Christmas, the book shows you how to make the Star of Bethlehem for your homemade Nativity scene. But since it’s nearly—well, three weeks away from—Christmas, we’ll show you how to make one right…
The Feast of the Epiphany
Comet Hale-Bopp hung brightly in the clear night sky – seemingly in suspended animation! I had just come out of church at the conclusion of the 8:00 p.m. Mass. I’d been waiting seemingly endlessly to finally see for myself this…
Christmas and the Spirit of Joy
The Christmas season is all about joy. This is not what we might think: true joy is not synonymous with laughter or merry-making, though these might be expressions of it. True joy is something much deeper — and much rarer.…
The Light at the Heart of Epiphany
When news slows down over the Christmas season, media outlets often resort to seasonal stock stories. A classic piece asks astronomers about the star that led the wise men to Bethlehem. Was it a comet? A meteor or supernova? As engaging as…
Christmas Greetings From Novalis
In his annual Christmas message, Archbishop Richard Smith offers reminds us of the gifts of the Magi to the newborn Jesus: gold, myrrh, and frankincense. For the year just past the president of the Canadian Conference of Bishops likens these…