Spirituality

How the Christmas story points beyond itself

Without the story of the birth in Bethlehem of an infant named Jesus -- without his birth as a real child needing a place to sleep peacefully, as all babies do -- Christianity would be a very different kind of faith.

Create some new Christmas family traditions

A birthday cake for Jesus, made by the kids, is one of Kelly Bothum's favorite traditions because it makes Jesus totally relatable to her crazy family of five on Christmas morning. She offers four new family traditions.

At Christmas Eve Mass, a light shines in the darkness

The readings for the Mass juxtapose darkness and light, a theme replete with hope. Isaiah reflects God's promise of a Messiah using words we breathe in, we shout, we proclaim as we experience the great light of Christ.

Films to watch at Christmastime

With Christmas approaching, here are capsule reviews of some holiday-themed films that parents, teens and, in some cases, the whole family can enjoy together.

Christmas Eve in the Polish-American Catholic kitchen (Recipe included)

Cooking begins days before with the making of breads, cookies, soup stock, pickled herring and pierogi -- savory filled dumplings. The foods are meatless, following the old tradition of abstinence from meat on the eve before a major feast.

The Nativity through the eyes of St. Joseph

A journalist and father thinks about the radical idea that "Jesus became who he was not only because he was the Son of God, but because he was the son of a good man," and holds up St. Joseph as a model for all dads.

It’s not our gift but the act of our giving it

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Msgr. Joseph Prior recalls a heartwarming Christmas story to reflect on what we bring to the altar of the Christ child’s crib, to the Savior who has given us everything.

Readings of the holy Mass – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.

What are the rules on low-gluten hosts at Communion?

While hosts must contain some wheat, permissible low-gluten hosts are 0.01 percent wheat and are safe for most celiac sufferers, writes Father Ken Doyle. He also advises a reader on one priest's football commentary at Mass.

Like an Advent pregnancy, we should be heavy with Christ

The challenge of the season is to let Christ be born in us, always, writes Michelle Francl-Donnay. Then our compassion can flow out to the people we meet, offering them good cheer, patience and support.