Nativity
Bethlehem rebounds from pandemic, lifting Christmas spirits
By Maya Alleruzzo, Jalal Bwaitel, and Hannah Schoenbaum — December 27, 2022
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Tourism is the economic lifeblood of this town in the occupied West Bank, where for the past two years the pandemic kept international visitors away.
Watch out for the sheep: Live animals bring spectacle and humor to Nativity scenes
By Bob Smietana — December 16, 2022
(RNS) — Though they aren't mentioned in the Bible Christmas story, live animals have been part of nativity scenes since the 1200s. But sometimes things go awry, including a recent case of cows on the loose.
Bethlehem welcomes Christmas tourists after pandemic lull
By Sam McNeil — December 16, 2022
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — On a recent day, dozens of groups from virtually every continent posed for selfies in front of the Church of the Nativity, built on the grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born.
Five Christmas sermon blunders that get Judaism (and Jesus) wrong
By Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler — December 24, 2021
(RNS) — Christmas brings out some of the worst ignorance of Jesus’ Judaism.
Christian group petitions Fisher-Price to replace Nativity playset depicting holy family as white
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 6, 2021
(RNS) — Faithful America is encouraging the toy company to portray Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus as people of color.
The creche brings home the Christmas story for these ‘mega’ collectors
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 24, 2020
(RNS) — For creche collectors, the Nativity scenes are both universal — something shared by all Christians — and deeply personal — reflecting their own cultures and even interests.
Americans see more jingle, less Jesus in Christmas celebrations
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 13, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The survey captures how 'too many people think Christmas is about a mall and not a manger,' said Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College.
Be honest about what you’re celebrating Dec. 25
By Jacob Lupfer — December 23, 2016
(RNS) It’s one thing to take no note of Jesus’ coming, but it seems to me an egregious dishonor to pretend that we have.
Christmas reminds us that Jesus was a migrant like today’s refugees, says Pope Francis
By Josephine McKenna — December 9, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pontiff made his remarks as he officially opened this year’s Christmas Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square.
The ‘Splainer: Is the star of Bethlehem for real?
By Kimberly Winston — December 22, 2015
(RNS) Was it "a star, a star dancing in the night," or was it something more dramatic, like a supernova or even a UFO? There is science behind the manger story. Let us ‘Splain ...
O Little Town of Washington: Activists bring Christmas to Supreme Court (PHOTOS and VIDEO)
By Adelle M. Banks — December 7, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) Watch what happens when conservative evangelicals bring the story of Christmas to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court.
5 religious Guinness World Records smashed in 2014, and 5 to shoot for in 2015
By Tiffany McCallen — December 30, 2014
(RNS) 2014 was the year that saw a new Guinness World Record for “Most sticky notes on the body in five minutes.” But at least five religious records were also smashed in 2014, and there are at least five more you can try to beat in 2015.
At Christmas, the babe in the manger isn’t always white
By Adelle M. Banks — December 14, 2012
(RNS) At this time of year, many Christians dispel the notion of a white baby Jesus by including a Christ child of other colors in Nativity scenes and plays. By Adelle M. Banks.
Christmas’ missing icon: Mary breastfeeding Jesus
By David Gibson — December 10, 2012
(RNS) At its heartwarming core, Christmas is the story of a tender relationship between a new mother and her newborn child. Yet all the familiar images associated with the holy family are missing one obvious element: a breast-feeding infant. And therein lies a tale. By David Gibson.
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