During this time of the year, the most wonderful time of the year, sometimes I wonder why the entire world is getting excited about Christmas. Is it because Jesus was born one holy night in a little ...

In the New Testament, the Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ birth—the first Christmas. Set during the rise of the Roman Empire, the stories create a radiant image of a young couple giving birth to the ...

At the Christmas Eve vigil Mass, ask your pastor to read all 25 verses in Matthew's Gospel rather than using the shorter form that skips over the genealogy. I know proclaiming Matthew's genealogy can ...

Tabor, chair of religious studies at UNC-Charlotte, offers a bold and sometimes speculative interpretation of the historical Jesus and his family, beginning with his paternity. Evaluating several ...

A doll representing the infant Jesus in St. Catherine's, the Franciscan church in the town of Bethlehem. David Silverman/Getty Images Every Christmas, a relatively small town in the Palestinian West ...

Christmas! The mention of Christmas brings forth a flood of images and experiences – celebrations, time off work, church services, credit card debt, and family gatherings. For those who hold a ...

As many Americans prepare for the holidays with the hustle and bustle of sending cards, going shopping and taking kids to see Santa Claus, it can be easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas. In a ...

People around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25. Here’s why—and the history of its iconic symbols from Christmas trees to Santa Claus. There's no more recognizable Christmas ...

But how and why would that torturous event and extreme sorrow associated with the death of the messiah affect eternity in a positive way? Why should Easter be a joyful time? The answer is neither ...