Spirituality
Take up acts of service this Christmas season
Writing checks to charities -- who need help all year -- is important, but this Christmas, set a goal of personal contact with people on the margins. This is important to them, but imperative for us.
A closer look at the Nativity story in Luke’s Gospel
Traditional art often obscures the radical humility and universal love revealed in the Scriptural account of Christ's birth. A professor looks at Mary, Elizabeth and one stinky manger.
Tradition and heritage: Fish for Christmas Eve
Ukrainians, Poles, Italians and Portuguese, among others, mark the eve of Christ’s birth with a traditional meatless feast that emphasizes family and food. Try this recipe for baked cod with garlic mayonnaise.
At Christmas, take heart! God is with us!
Although many welcome the amplification of goodwill and cheer at Christmas, for some, the glitter and emotions of it all can bring on less festive feelings of anxiety and depression. No matter how deeply we hurt, God is holding onto us.
Emmanuel: The name sums up the Christmas message
Curious believers want to know not just who or what God is, but what God does, how God acts. So to affirm that "God is with us" is to make a huge statement about the kind of God Christians rely upon.
Hispanic Christmas traditions pass on faith and culture
Popular devotions such as novenas, posadas and the Misa del Gallo bring the birth of Christ alive in the hearts of Latino Catholics from several nations.
Fear, anger and love at Christmas
Many people are angry, and clashes are breaking out all the time, writes Gina Christian. Behind it all is a long list of fears, even as we celebrate the coming of Jesus, whom we may worship without fear.
Ask for grace to dream and to be silent like St. Joseph, pope suggests
While St. Joseph was a practical, down-to-earth man, he had enough faith to be open to God speaking through dreams, Pope Francis said at morning Mass.
Lives of faith, hope and joy prepare us for the Messiah
The third Sunday of Advent, or "Gaudete Sunday," invites us to recommit ourselves to the following the Lord, and to rejoice as we await his coming.
Readings of the Holy Mass – Third Sunday of Advent
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with these resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.