TAKE THE LOW ROAD; JESUS DID
Christmas is about God's willingness to take the low road with us: through an engaged peasant girl who then had to flee her homeland and beg for a place to stay yet was refused proper shelter.
Christmas is about God's willingness to take the low road with us: through an engaged peasant girl who then had to flee her homeland and beg for a place to stay yet was refused proper shelter.
CAN CHRISTMAS COME TOO EARLY?
Like Ebenezer Scrooge, this writer had a change of heart about the Advent season.
Like Ebenezer Scrooge, this writer had a change of heart about the Advent season.
POPE WRITES APOSTOLIC LETTER ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CHRISTMAS CRÈCHE
The Christmas crèche is part of the precious yet demanding process of passing on the faith, ...it teaches us to ..."to feel and believe that God is with us and that we are with Him.”
The Christmas crèche is part of the precious yet demanding process of passing on the faith, ...it teaches us to ..."to feel and believe that God is with us and that we are with Him.”
YOU BETTER WATCH OUT — ST. NICHOLAS IS COMING TO TOWN
Our images of St. Nicholas seem to evolve or deteriorate based on the values of contemporary culture in different times and places.
Our images of St. Nicholas seem to evolve or deteriorate based on the values of contemporary culture in different times and places.
THE CHRISTMAS STORY, FOR GROWN-UPS
The real story of Jesus' birth can't be tied with a pretty bow. In Matthew’s narrative, the circumstances of Jesus’ birth are more chaotic and perilous.
The real story of Jesus' birth can't be tied with a pretty bow. In Matthew’s narrative, the circumstances of Jesus’ birth are more chaotic and perilous.
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
This reflection about keeping the faith during the Advent and Christmas seasons offers some practical advice on how to limit the impact of commercialsim.
This reflection about keeping the faith during the Advent and Christmas seasons offers some practical advice on how to limit the impact of commercialsim.
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE? JESUS WAS BORN IN ANYTHING BUT
The reality of Mary and Joseph’s marginalization and the precarious situation into which Jesus is born are clearly there in the gospel texts.
The reality of Mary and Joseph’s marginalization and the precarious situation into which Jesus is born are clearly there in the gospel texts.
A BABY IS COMING TO SHAKE UP OUR WORLD
Religion is sweet when it concerns a tiny bundle of life we can hold in our arms and upon whom the very hope of the world depends. But be forewarned: The baby is a thief.
Religion is sweet when it concerns a tiny bundle of life we can hold in our arms and upon whom the very hope of the world depends. But be forewarned: The baby is a thief.
BE THE PEACE
When the peaceable kingdom becomes more than a Christmas card, when it becomes a movement, we may finally have peace on earth and good will everywhere.
When the peaceable kingdom becomes more than a Christmas card, when it becomes a movement, we may finally have peace on earth and good will everywhere.
CHRISTMAS – A TIME FOR THE HEART
Pope Francis invites us to recover the wonder children feel when they see the nativity scene and let the symbolism of the different characters speak not only to our minds but to our hearts.
Pope Francis invites us to recover the wonder children feel when they see the nativity scene and let the symbolism of the different characters speak not only to our minds but to our hearts.
HOW THE CHRISTMAS STORY CALLS CATHOLICS TO ACTION
Christians are called to harbor refugees as if they were the Christ child on the run.
Christians are called to harbor refugees as if they were the Christ child on the run.
WHEN CHRISTMAS IS NEITHER MERRY NOR WHITE
We make Christmas into something it is not and wonder why it disappoints. “Dreams are toys,” and we are always ready to pack them away for another year, maybe merry, maybe white. Christmas is not a dream. Christ was born mid our night, and “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”
We make Christmas into something it is not and wonder why it disappoints. “Dreams are toys,” and we are always ready to pack them away for another year, maybe merry, maybe white. Christmas is not a dream. Christ was born mid our night, and “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”
THIS NEW YEAR, GIVE YOUR HEART TO THE MYSTERY OF GOD
What does it mean to give your heart to a mystery? To fall in love with the silence that wraps around words and gives them context—like diamonds in their proper settings? On the first day of the year, we celebrate Mary’s determination to do that. It’s a countercultural choice.
What does it mean to give your heart to a mystery? To fall in love with the silence that wraps around words and gives them context—like diamonds in their proper settings? On the first day of the year, we celebrate Mary’s determination to do that. It’s a countercultural choice.
THE BLOODY FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
The Christmas story must be told in the context of suffering and death because that’s the only way the story makes any sense.
The Christmas story must be told in the context of suffering and death because that’s the only way the story makes any sense.
SISTER WENDY BECKETT MEDITATES ON JANET MCKENZIE'S "THE HOLY FAMILY"
McKenzie makes it beautifully clear that here is a family unit, three individuals bound together.
McKenzie makes it beautifully clear that here is a family unit, three individuals bound together.
THE FACE OF GOD
When we enter into God, we enter into that which is infinitely beyond and above every created thing and every created power and every created relation. It is far easier than we think to confuse self-sufficiency with holiness. It is far easier than we think to confuse ourselves with God.
When we enter into God, we enter into that which is infinitely beyond and above every created thing and every created power and every created relation. It is far easier than we think to confuse self-sufficiency with holiness. It is far easier than we think to confuse ourselves with God.
KEEPING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS SHOULD BRING PEACE, NOT STRESS
The word Emmanuel means God-with-us, and the antiphon of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” that defines Advent can help us draw out the God-with-us moments from our regular traditions.
The word Emmanuel means God-with-us, and the antiphon of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” that defines Advent can help us draw out the God-with-us moments from our regular traditions.
WHAT THE HELL KIND OF CHRISTMAS IS THIS?
God with us in our worst situation. God with us in our own poverty and that of others. God with us not to make everything as we wish, but God with us to share our confusion, our disappointment, our pain, our death. That is the meaning of Bethlehem.
God with us in our worst situation. God with us in our own poverty and that of others. God with us not to make everything as we wish, but God with us to share our confusion, our disappointment, our pain, our death. That is the meaning of Bethlehem.
THIS CHRISTMAS IS EITHER ABOUT GOD WITH US OR NOTHING
This year, Christmas is either about God with us or it is nothing. If Covid Christmas teaches us that, next year we may resume the trappings of the season, but with a new unclouded knowledge of what the feast really is. [Listen at PODCATH]
This year, Christmas is either about God with us or it is nothing. If Covid Christmas teaches us that, next year we may resume the trappings of the season, but with a new unclouded knowledge of what the feast really is. [Listen at PODCATH]
MARY RECEIVING JESUS INTO HER ARMS
As we transition from Advent to Christmas, spiritual director Becky Eldredge shares how her own experiences as a mother help her relate to Mary and enter into the seasons.
As we transition from Advent to Christmas, spiritual director Becky Eldredge shares how her own experiences as a mother help her relate to Mary and enter into the seasons.
THE MAGI AND CONTEMPLATION
The gift of pure presence: like the magi who visited Jesus, we also can take time to find God in setting aside our usual schedules and taking the time to contemplate.
The gift of pure presence: like the magi who visited Jesus, we also can take time to find God in setting aside our usual schedules and taking the time to contemplate.
’TIS THE SEASON TO REBUILD A BROKEN WORLD
Christmas is different this year. Taking an ecowomanist perspective may help us honor our faith, mourn our broken world, and move forward into a more just future.
Christmas is different this year. Taking an ecowomanist perspective may help us honor our faith, mourn our broken world, and move forward into a more just future.
INCARNATION: BIRTH IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Any spirituality that makes too much of the baby Jesus is perhaps not yet ready for “prime-time” life. God clearly wants friends and partners to be images of divinity, if we are to believe the biblical texts
Any spirituality that makes too much of the baby Jesus is perhaps not yet ready for “prime-time” life. God clearly wants friends and partners to be images of divinity, if we are to believe the biblical texts
THE REVOLUTIONARY POLITICS OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS
Our culture has downgraded the Christmas stories into sweet little songs and primary-school Nativity plays. But the birth of a baby who will inherit “the throne of his ancestor David” —as the angel says to Mary in Luke 1:32—announces the start of a revolution.
Our culture has downgraded the Christmas stories into sweet little songs and primary-school Nativity plays. But the birth of a baby who will inherit “the throne of his ancestor David” —as the angel says to Mary in Luke 1:32—announces the start of a revolution.
CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT CELEBRATING THE HUMANITY OF GOD
Fr. Dan Horan writes: I believe that one of the best guides for reflecting on the humanity of God is a not-too-well-known spiritual treatise by St. Bonaventure, the medieval Franciscan theologian and doctor of the church.
Fr. Dan Horan writes: I believe that one of the best guides for reflecting on the humanity of God is a not-too-well-known spiritual treatise by St. Bonaventure, the medieval Franciscan theologian and doctor of the church.
EMBRACE THE HOLY MESS OF CHRISTMAS
If Jesus’ family relationships could be full of tension at times, this must be true for the rest of us. Every member of a family is connected to every other member, and while this is a wonderful thing, a source of support and love and nourishment, it can also be difficult.
If Jesus’ family relationships could be full of tension at times, this must be true for the rest of us. Every member of a family is connected to every other member, and while this is a wonderful thing, a source of support and love and nourishment, it can also be difficult.
THE FORGOTTEN RADICALISM OF JESUS CHRIST
The lesson of Christmas and the incarnation, at least for those of us of the Christian faith, is that all of us were once outcasts, broken yet loved, and worth reaching out to and redeeming. If God did that for us, why do we find it so hard to do it for each other?
The lesson of Christmas and the incarnation, at least for those of us of the Christian faith, is that all of us were once outcasts, broken yet loved, and worth reaching out to and redeeming. If God did that for us, why do we find it so hard to do it for each other?
THE CONTEMPORARY CATHOLIC’S CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST
Expand your Christmas playlist with some more recent albums. Taken from contemporary musicians around the world and a wide variety of genres these sit nicely beside the old standards, ensuring Christmas is not only sentimental and sacramental, but always a surprise.
Expand your Christmas playlist with some more recent albums. Taken from contemporary musicians around the world and a wide variety of genres these sit nicely beside the old standards, ensuring Christmas is not only sentimental and sacramental, but always a surprise.
6 NAMES OF JESUS TO PRAY WITH THIS CHRISTMAS
These three pairs of names can deepen your meditation on the mystery of the incarnation. We can forget that these titles are short prayers in and of themselves, each a window through which we catch a glimpse of God.
These three pairs of names can deepen your meditation on the mystery of the incarnation. We can forget that these titles are short prayers in and of themselves, each a window through which we catch a glimpse of God.
THE CHRISTMAS STORIES
It might be helpful to look at the four Gospel readings we might hear (on Christmas) and see how they fit together: this way, whatever decision we make about our Christmas observance, we need not miss out on the bigger picture.
It might be helpful to look at the four Gospel readings we might hear (on Christmas) and see how they fit together: this way, whatever decision we make about our Christmas observance, we need not miss out on the bigger picture.
CHRISTMAS BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
A book is sometimes the most difficult gift to offer. It is the gift of self, imparting, one hopes, the joy and wisdom that have changed one life and now might change another. Ultimately, at any age, it is an expression of love.
A book is sometimes the most difficult gift to offer. It is the gift of self, imparting, one hopes, the joy and wisdom that have changed one life and now might change another. Ultimately, at any age, it is an expression of love.
FINDING GOD IN WHAT IS TENDER AND SMALL THIS SEASON
We can meet him with the kind of tenderness that stories about his birth and childhood especially evoke in us.
We can meet him with the kind of tenderness that stories about his birth and childhood especially evoke in us.
A CHILD IS COMING TO SAVE US. PERHAPS HE’LL REMIND US TO DO BETTER BY THE CHILDREN WE HAVE.
If society, in this country and in every country, cannot recognize the value of human life, we might as well just stare at the star. We are clearly not following it.
If society, in this country and in every country, cannot recognize the value of human life, we might as well just stare at the star. We are clearly not following it.
LIVE INTENTIONALLY DURING THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
If we live liturgically, however, Christmas Day is just the beginning of an entire season dedicated to the reality of the incarnation, God with and among us. The daily gospels from the Christmas season invite us to intentional self-reflection.
If we live liturgically, however, Christmas Day is just the beginning of an entire season dedicated to the reality of the incarnation, God with and among us. The daily gospels from the Christmas season invite us to intentional self-reflection.
JESUS' BIRTH TO A SINGLE MOM SIGNALS PROPHETIC CHALLENGE TO PATRIARCHY
What could better witness the power of an unpredictable God than to raise up a long-awaited Messiah from the least powerful of humans — a child born of an unwed mother?
What could better witness the power of an unpredictable God than to raise up a long-awaited Messiah from the least powerful of humans — a child born of an unwed mother?
CHRISTMAS MEANS WE ALL BELONG, TO CHRIST AND TO EACH OTHER
We all belong. We are one. We love our neighbor as ourself because we are our neighbor. And our neighbor is us. There is only Christ and each of us, all of us, inseparable members of one great body of love. It is real. It is there. It's here.
We all belong. We are one. We love our neighbor as ourself because we are our neighbor. And our neighbor is us. There is only Christ and each of us, all of us, inseparable members of one great body of love. It is real. It is there. It's here.
WE NEED NEW WAYS OF TELLING JESUS’ BIRTH STORY TO OUR CHILDREN — AND TO OURSELVES
The birth of a baby is a timeless and universally applicable reality; everyone has their own birth story to tell, of where and how and who was there.
The birth of a baby is a timeless and universally applicable reality; everyone has their own birth story to tell, of where and how and who was there.
POPE FRANCIS' CHRISTMAS HOMILY 2021
The heart of the feast commemorating Jesus’s birth is about poverty and learning to find God in the little things in life, rather than seeking power and success.
The heart of the feast commemorating Jesus’s birth is about poverty and learning to find God in the little things in life, rather than seeking power and success.
"URBI ET ORBI" MESSAGE - CHRISTMAS 2021
Amid all the many problems of our time, hope prevails, “for to us a child is born”. He is the word of God, who became an infant, capable only of crying, and in need of help for everything
Amid all the many problems of our time, hope prevails, “for to us a child is born”. He is the word of God, who became an infant, capable only of crying, and in need of help for everything
5 CHRISTMAS SERMON BLUNDERS THAT GET JUDAISM (AND JESUS) WRONG
Christmas sermons often bring out toxic errors concerning Jesus’ Judaism, making anti-Jewish misinterpretations of Scripture as common as Santa and his elves.
Christmas sermons often bring out toxic errors concerning Jesus’ Judaism, making anti-Jewish misinterpretations of Scripture as common as Santa and his elves.
EXAMINE YOUR ‘WONDERFUL LIFE’ WITH A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS FILM
Sometimes your greatest blessings can feel like your biggest problems. Your life is a gift that is meant to be shared in the service of others.
Sometimes your greatest blessings can feel like your biggest problems. Your life is a gift that is meant to be shared in the service of others.
THIS CHRISTMAS, REMEMBER THAT THE CROSS LOOMS OVER THE CRIB
An omitted verse of a Christmas carol reminds us that the Christmas feast is not a time for glossing over the tragedy of life.
An omitted verse of a Christmas carol reminds us that the Christmas feast is not a time for glossing over the tragedy of life.
A MEDITATION ON CHRISTMAS
Ilia Delio OSF reflects on Christmas: We are invited to realize that we are not alone in the universe. God, who is a trinity of love, swirls amidst the galaxies and stars searching for human hearts, where God seeks to dwell.
Ilia Delio OSF reflects on Christmas: We are invited to realize that we are not alone in the universe. God, who is a trinity of love, swirls amidst the galaxies and stars searching for human hearts, where God seeks to dwell.
PRAYING THROUGH PAIN AT CHRISTMAS
“Joy to the world!” the song rings out. But not everyone feels joyful at Christmas. Anyone who is sick, bereaved, lonely, or unemployed may find trying to sing about joy a bitter irony.
“Joy to the world!” the song rings out. But not everyone feels joyful at Christmas. Anyone who is sick, bereaved, lonely, or unemployed may find trying to sing about joy a bitter irony.
A MOST WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS: A REFLECTION
It isn’t the snow, the holly or the wrappings under the tree. It’s the warmth of the Christmas heart that always brings us closer and gives us peace.
It isn’t the snow, the holly or the wrappings under the tree. It’s the warmth of the Christmas heart that always brings us closer and gives us peace.
LET YOUR HOLIDAY VISITS MIRROR GOD’S PRESENCE IN THE WORLD
This Christmas may we be inspired by scripture and may our physical interactions with one another mirror God’s joyful visitation to the world.
This Christmas may we be inspired by scripture and may our physical interactions with one another mirror God’s joyful visitation to the world.
TRUTHFUL UNCERTAINTY: CHRISTMAS CRITICS
Despite opportunities to chart new courses, we tend to stick with the old. For those of us who have walked in darkness, how do we open ourselves to Isaiah’s great light?
Despite opportunities to chart new courses, we tend to stick with the old. For those of us who have walked in darkness, how do we open ourselves to Isaiah’s great light?
WHAT IS THE REAL 'REASON' FOR THE SEASON: SIN OR LOVE?
There is a longstanding theological and spiritual tradition dating back to the New Testament itself that holds that even if we had not sinned, God would still have become human!
There is a longstanding theological and spiritual tradition dating back to the New Testament itself that holds that even if we had not sinned, God would still have become human!
WHY EARLY CHRISTIANS WOULDN’T HAVE FOUND THE CHRISTMAS STORY’S VIRGIN BIRTH SO SURPRISING
The idea of virgin birth has been part of Christianity since the start, but its significance has shifted over time.
The idea of virgin birth has been part of Christianity since the start, but its significance has shifted over time.
WHAT ARE WE MISSING IN OUR DEPICTIONS OF THE NATIVITY?
Liberties have been taken with the nativity narratives. There is not one seamless story about the birth of Jesus; there are two.
Liberties have been taken with the nativity narratives. There is not one seamless story about the birth of Jesus; there are two.
POPE FRANCIS: 'IT IS NOT TRULY CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THE POOR'
Jesus was born poor, lived poor and died poor; he did not so much talk about poverty as live it, to the very end, for our sake.
Jesus was born poor, lived poor and died poor; he did not so much talk about poverty as live it, to the very end, for our sake.
HAVING A HARD CHRISTMAS? JESUS DID, TOO
The hope of Christmas is that God did not — and therefore will not — leave us alone. In the midst of our doubts and suffering comes a baby.
The hope of Christmas is that God did not — and therefore will not — leave us alone. In the midst of our doubts and suffering comes a baby.
LET’S CELEBRATE THE EPIPHANY WITH AN EYE ON THE FUTURE
In the West, the Epiphany is about the Magi. In the East, it is about the baptism of the Lord. But it is also about the second coming of Christ.
In the West, the Epiphany is about the Magi. In the East, it is about the baptism of the Lord. But it is also about the second coming of Christ.
JOHN PAUL I’S LETTER TO THE AUTHOR OF “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
When he was Cardinal Albino Luciani, the future Pope John Paul I wrote letters to figures from history and literature, including one to Charles Dickens.
When he was Cardinal Albino Luciani, the future Pope John Paul I wrote letters to figures from history and literature, including one to Charles Dickens.
HOPE AT CHRISTMAS – A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH
The Catholic Church must see itself as the greatest force for good in the whole of human civilisation.
The Catholic Church must see itself as the greatest force for good in the whole of human civilisation.
A WALK THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
The Church’s liturgical season of Christmas is one of its shortest, but also one of its most unique. Within it is the eight-day celebration of the Lord’s Nativity as well as other feasts pertaining to the manifestation that Jesus is Lord of the nations.
The Church’s liturgical season of Christmas is one of its shortest, but also one of its most unique. Within it is the eight-day celebration of the Lord’s Nativity as well as other feasts pertaining to the manifestation that Jesus is Lord of the nations.
WHO IS IN THE MANGER?
Christmas is a beautiful time of the year when we are reminded that the heavens could not contain God, but a simple manger could contain the mystery of divine love.
Christmas is a beautiful time of the year when we are reminded that the heavens could not contain God, but a simple manger could contain the mystery of divine love.
HOW TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE AMID HOLIDAY CHAOS
How can we hear God during these loud holiday seasons? Here are some points to consider and apply if you want to hear God this season.
How can we hear God during these loud holiday seasons? Here are some points to consider and apply if you want to hear God this season.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE
As we approach a new year—2025—like Mary in our Christmas Gospel, let’s take a moment to pause and hold the mystery in our hearts: We are still part of this great adventure.
As we approach a new year—2025—like Mary in our Christmas Gospel, let’s take a moment to pause and hold the mystery in our hearts: We are still part of this great adventure.
WHY INCARNATION MATTERS - WHAT IT OFFERS TO ALL HUMANITY
Through his incarnated presence, Jesus offered the world a living example of fully embodied love that emerged out of ordinary, limited life situations.
Through his incarnated presence, Jesus offered the world a living example of fully embodied love that emerged out of ordinary, limited life situations.
WHY IT MATTERS THAT JESUS CAME FROM A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY
What Jesus seemed to have had in mind is the church being more of “a field hospital after battle,” in the words of Pope Francis. Heal the wounds, he said. Then we can talk.
What Jesus seemed to have had in mind is the church being more of “a field hospital after battle,” in the words of Pope Francis. Heal the wounds, he said. Then we can talk.
THE DIVINE IN THIS AND IN US
Before we can take the “now” seriously, we must shift from thinking of God as “out there” to also knowing God “in here.” In fact, here is the best access point!
Before we can take the “now” seriously, we must shift from thinking of God as “out there” to also knowing God “in here.” In fact, here is the best access point!
THE BIRTH OF GOD IS OUR FUTURE
The Feast of Christmas holds a mystical quality – it stands as a Kairos moment, a divine interruption in our hurried world. In this sacred pause, we’re called to still ourselves and listen deeply to the whispers of the human heart.
The Feast of Christmas holds a mystical quality – it stands as a Kairos moment, a divine interruption in our hurried world. In this sacred pause, we’re called to still ourselves and listen deeply to the whispers of the human heart.
CHRISTMAS IN A TIME OF WAR
This is the third consecutive Christmas that we are living in a time of war. Jesus is born once again into our history and into our lives. This is the perennial story, a story that embodies God’s plan that should unfold as rich and serene, but instead emerges on to a scene of misery, failure, violence and death.
This is the third consecutive Christmas that we are living in a time of war. Jesus is born once again into our history and into our lives. This is the perennial story, a story that embodies God’s plan that should unfold as rich and serene, but instead emerges on to a scene of misery, failure, violence and death.
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