Christmas

Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) Collegeville • Vigil of Christmas service with the St. John’s Monastic Community at 5 p.m. (Evening Prayer) and Christmas concert at […]

The Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square is not getting rave reviews: The backdrop does not look like a stable and the characters in need — hungry, naked, dead, imprisoned — don’t exactly evoke a silent night when all was cozy, calm and bright.

Last year, to make life just a little easier for babies and their families, Michele Burke Bowe, of the hospital’s Washington-based foundation, began gathering onesies, the tiny one-piece suits many newborns wear, to give to Bethlehem’s newest residents.

The Archdiocese of Washington appealed a federal judge’s denial of a request for an emergency injunction over the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s advertising guidelines.

“Growing up as a Christian, you want to share your gifts. You want to give of yourself. The true Christian is St. Nicholas — it’s that generosity all the time,” said Father John Brosmer.

The U.S. bishops said Catholics should attend separate Masses for both that Sunday obligation and Monday’s Christmas Mass obligation.

One of the oldest choirs in the world, the pope’s Sistine Chapel Choir, along with multiple Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, releases the new 16-track CD of music for Advent and Christmas with the proceeds earmarked for the poor through the pope’s charities.

The song of the angels that heralded the birth of Christ urges men and women to seek peace in a world divided by war, terrorism and greed, Pope Francis said.