Two thousand years ago, a family took part in a census. Over the coming weeks in schools, churches, high streets, and venues across this country, the Christmas story that began with Mary and Joseph’s journey for a census will be enjoyed and celebrated by millions of people. But of what story are we a part? Read more
Pope Francis on Sunday hailed Nativity scenes as “simple and admirable” signs of Christian faith and encouraged their placement in workplaces, schools and town squares, as he bolstered a Christmas tradition that has at times triggered bitter legal battles in the United States. “I wish to encourage the beautiful family tradition of preparing the Nativity Read more
Geoff Allen, pondered how a donkey got into the tale of Christmas? Allen, who heads Galatea Theatre, has come up with his own explanation of why we think Mary rode into town on a donkey. He’s written, and is directing, a “first-millennium farce about virgins, mules and art”. The Madonna’s Mule is set in 999 Read more
Christmas. People roll their eyes. The pace in an already over-stimulated society quickens. Everyone is trying to get their jobs, their gigs, their projects, finished by Christmas. Many people bemoan the approach of this festival, complain about its commercialization, wonder why it is still observed in a multicultural, multi-faith country like Australia. But most people Read more
ROME – Just as with department store windows in the United States, reminders in Rome that Christmas is coming seem to start popping up earlier and earlier ever year. Of course Italians don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but it’s worth pointing out that Turkey Day just happened and it feels like Christmas season is here. This week, Read more
My first reaction on learning that only a third of primary schools now stage a traditional nativity play was to reach for the phrase “political correctness gone mad”. After all, it must be because Left-wing teachers are worried about offending non-Christians. One in 14 schools apparently doesn’t even use the word “Christmas” to describe the Read more
The National Museum of Women in the Arts is currently hosting an exhibit of artwork depicting the Virgin Mary from several famous Renaissance and Baroque artists. The exhibit is called Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea, and runs from Dec. 5, 2014 to Apr. 12, 2015. If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, this might Read more
A nativity war has broken out in France after a court’s ban on a nativity scene in the La Roche-sur-Yon town hall. The French court’s ban is to preserve France’s secular traditions and has sparked a fierce backlash, reports The Guardian. “Why not ban Christmas and the public holidays that go with it?” screamed Le Parisien; its headline ran Read more
A reputedly first-hand account of the Three Wise Men, who came to bring gifts to the child Jesus, has been found in the Vatican archives. According to a Times article in The Australian, the new account suggests there were “scores” of Magi, rather than just the three wise men bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Read more
In preparation for Christmas, Joseph of Nazareth is Tweeting the journey of the Holy Family. An anonymous German is using Twitter under the name of Joseph of Nazareth and providing a light-hearted commentary on the Christmas story from St Joseph’s perspective. Joseph began Tweeting on 1 December, and has already gained around 9,500 followers and Read more