Christmas
What’s up with Jews and Chinese food on Christmas?
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 24, 2018
Or does Column A and Column B remind us of the tablets of the Law? Just sayin'.
Pope celebrates Christmas at home as deputy presides in Iraq
By Associated Press — December 24, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Mass on Christmas Eve is one of the highlights of the Vatican's liturgical year and starts a busy week for Francis.
Biblical city of Bethlehem boasts largest Christmas in years
By Isabel Debre — December 24, 2018
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Palestinians are preparing to host pilgrims from around the world in celebrating Christmas in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
Lone street guitarist shares Christmas spirit in Nairobi
By Fredrick Nzwili — December 24, 2018
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Samson Kule Mannasseih, an Anglican street singer, brings Christmas cheer to the streets of Nairobi by sharing 'the music that calms everyone.'
In Israel, Christians embrace a simple, spiritual Christmas
By Lisa Green — December 21, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Without its commercial trappings, Christmas becomes a simple but meaningful celebration. 'There’s so much to learn in the quiet,' one woman says.
Lay off my God already!
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 21, 2018
The New Yorker published an anti-Judaism cartoon. For shame.
Native artisans fight to survive in ‘the town of the Nativities’
By Irving Cabrera Torres — December 20, 2018
AMOZOC, Mexico (RNS) — For 100 years, this central Mexican town has made Nativity sets and other religious figures by hand. Now foreign competition has put its future in doubt.
Have yourself a boozy little Christmas
By Menachem Wecker — December 20, 2018
(RNS) — The connection between Christmas and liquor has been institutionalized of late in 'carols and cocktails' events that, while concerning to some, are deeply consistent with the holiday’s history.
Pakistani Christians face an uneasy Christmas in the wake of Asia Bibi’s release
By Bob Smietana — December 20, 2018
LAHORE, Pakistan (RNS) — The fallout from the release of Bibi — whose death sentence for blasphemy was rescinded this year — has left Pakistan's Christians wary of a backlash this Christmas.
Bad priests, of all kinds, chase people away from Christ and the church
By Thomas Reese — December 19, 2018
(RNS) — For too many Christians, the church is not 'a field hospital for the wounded,' in Pope Francis' words; it is a country club for the perfect.
A new Christmas pageant shows off the fierce side of Mary
By Bob Smietana — December 19, 2018
SPOKANE, Wash. (RNS) — A new Christmas pageant at a church in Spokane skips the camels and wise men and focuses on the Magnificat—a biblical song from Mary that challenges the status quo.
As Christmas nears, Willow Creek hopes for a fresh start
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 19, 2018
SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (RNS) — Christmas always has been a time of celebration at Willow Creek Community Church, and this year has been no exception. But there also are reminders this has been no ordinary year at Willow Creek.
Embracing the work of Christmas
By Chuck Currie — December 18, 2018
(RNS) — Mary was said to be 'perplexed' when the angel Gabriel told her she was carrying the hope of a broken people. Like her, we must set aside our fears in a divided world and respond, 'Here I am.'
Nashville secular group celebrates faith-free Christmas
By Bailey Basham — December 17, 2018
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — At the 'Heathen Holidays,' Nashville's Sunday Assembly celebrates the joy of the holidays without God.
Why ‘Silent Night’ and the stories around it endure 200 years later
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 14, 2018
(RNS) — For countless churchgoers, 'Silent Night' brings a moment of quiet reflection that captures what Christmas is all about — even if church mice have nothing to do with it.
