(RNS) The traditional Christmas image of the Virgin Mary -- silent, obedient, observant -- has cemented a potent ideal in the Western imagination. Now the masterful Irish writer Colm Toibin puts a jackhammer to the cozy, safe, Christmas-card version in "The Testament of Mary.'' By Karen Long.

(RNS) In the wake of historic victories for gay rights supporters in last month's elections, a pair of USA Today/Gallup Polls find growing acceptance among Americans toward gay men and lesbians -- and soaring optimism among gay Americans that issues involving homosexuality will one day no longer divide the nation. By Susan Page/USA Today.

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) The Mormon church is not changing its tune about homosexuality, but it has launched a new website to alter the tone. The site includes video clips of gay members and their families promoting compassion and understanding toward homosexuals, and encouraging everyone to be "disciples of Christ.'' By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

Bring your bubbe a 2013 calendar of Nice Jewish Boys for Hanukkah. But dont spark a doobie around Mark Driscoll, or buy tickets for Kathie Lee Gifford's evangelical Broadway debut.

PASADENA, Calif. (RNS) Leaders of a flagship progressive Episcopal church are defending themselves against charges of sympathy for terrorists in their decision to host the annual Muslim Public Affairs Council convention. By Megan Sweas.

KENSINGTON, Md. (RNS) John Linder and Tim Welsh aren't Jewish, and probably don’t understand the religious symbolism in the menorahs, mezuzahs and dreidels they create. But the two autistic men know that in the weeks leading up to Hanukkah, their quick and expert manipulation of glass, copper and steel are crucial to getting a truckload of Judaica into the homes of Jews around the world. By Lauren Markoe.

NEW YORK (RNS) In the end, even Kathie Lee Gifford couldn’t save the Broadway musical about a woman who saved souls. Gifford's Broadway play, "Scandalous: The Life and Times of Aimee Semple McPherson'' will close Dec. 9, a little more than three weeks after its opening. By Ansley Roan.

British kings and queens may soon be allowed to marry Roman Catholics. A cadet quits West Point saying it disrespects nonreligious cadets. A new biography explores Nicholas of Myra, aka St. Nick.

(RNS) Ayelet Waldman isn't shy about sharing her true feelings about the upcoming Jewish festival of lights. "I loathe Hanukkah,'' she says. She's not alone: Some Jews, tired of the "December Dilemma'' and competing with Christmas, would prefer to avoid all the fuss. By Beth Kissileff.

(RNS) A special commission created by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has called for clearer IRS guidance and greater involvement among donors to address “outliers” among congregations and other nonprofits that are not being financially accountable. By Adelle M. Banks.

NEW YORK (RNS) An exhibit at the Museum of Biblical Art in New York City reveals a spiritual side of master designer and craftsman Louis C. Tiffany, the man responsible for decorating some of the nation's landmark churches. By Chris Herlinger.

JERUSALEM (RNS) Five Jerusalem eateries have filed suit against the city’s local Chief Rabbinate, saying kosher certification rules are expensive, unwieldy and inconsistent. By Michele Chabin.

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Tuesday (Dec. 4) urged Uganda to scrap a controversial draft law that would send gays and lesbians to jail and, some say, put them at risk of the death penalty. By Fredrick Nzwili.