Church leaders call for hope and love at Christmas Australians have been urged to look at Christmas as a time for hope in the midst of natural disasters, international conflicts and economic challenges. AAP · Dec 24, 2023
‘It’s impossible to celebrate’: Gaza war opens fissures among US Christians With Christmas canceled in the Holy Land, how are US Christians viewing the war? The Guardian - US · Dec 24, 2023
Escaping the right's man-panic Republicans are exploiting male anxiety — and Josh Hawley's warmed-over Bible snippets offer young men nothing new Salon · Dec 24, 2023
Bethlehem nearly deserted as Christmas celebrations suspended over Israel-Hamas war The normally bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town on Sunday, as Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off due to the Israel-Hamas war. The festive lights and Christmas tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists who gather each… France 24 · Dec 24, 2023
On Christmas Eve, Bethlehem resembles a ghost town. Celebrations are halted due to Israel-Hamas war. The normally bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus looks like a ghost town on Christmas Eve, with celebrations in Bethlehem called off due to the Israel-Hamas war The Independent UK · Dec 24, 2023
What are Palestine’s unique Christmas rituals, disrupted by Israel’s war? This year’s Christmas will have rubble-laden mangers and silent processions amid the Israel, Hamas war. Al Jazeera · Dec 24, 2023
Outrage after Italian church puts up same-sex nativity scene featuring two mothers of baby Jesus ‘I wanted to show with this scene that families are no longer just traditional ones,’ says Vitaliano Della Sala The Independent UK · Dec 24, 2023
‘If Jesus was born today, he’d be born under the rubble’: Bethlehem set for forlorn Christmas Usually full of tourists, Manger Square is now sad and empty, and a nativity baby Jesus lies nearby in rubble The Guardian - UK · Dec 24, 2023
Anger in Italy over 'blasphemous' Nativity scene that shows Jesus with two mothers Catholic priest cites Pope Francis's pro LGBT stance as mandate for action Evening Standard · Dec 23, 2023
Bethlehem prays for peace in Gaza: ‘I have never seen a Christmas like this’ Normally at this time of year, Bethlehem is full of thousands visiting one of Christianity’s most holy cities. But Bel Trew finds empty streets, shuttered shops and a central square without its famous Christmas tree. Church leaders say the situation in Gaza makes any form of celebration impossible – and… The Independent UK · Dec 23, 2023
US Christian churches renew urgent calls for ceasefire as Christmas approaches Faith leaders urge an end to violence as the world’s oldest Christian communities endure devastating attacks The Independent UK · Dec 23, 2023
Light in very dark times from Canberra's pulpits at Christmas ACT Christian leaders have quite different, but important messages. The Canberra Times · Dec 22, 2023
Political opposition is about more than saying 'no' all the time You know it makes sense. Newcastle Herald · Dec 22, 2023
When Hitler tried to redesign Christmas Donald Trump now claims to have "won" the so-called war on Christmas. The holiday was an issue for Hitler as well Salon · Dec 22, 2023
The Independent UK · Dec 22, 2023 Grieving and often overlooked, Palestinian Christians prepare for a somber Christmas amid war From Jesus' biblical birthplace of Bethlehem to New York City, many Palestinian Christians this Christmas season are gripped with helplessness, pain and worry amid the Israel-Hamas war
Newcastle Herald · Dec 22, 2023 Region's bishops share their Christmas messages "I wish you a truly joyful Christmas and blessed new year."
International Business Times · Dec 22, 2023 'Pooper' Figures Star In Nativity Scenes In Spain Look closely at a nativity scene in Spain's Catalonia region and you will likely spot an unusual figure -- a peasant with his pants down and doing his business in the holy scene.
Evening Standard · Dec 21, 2023 OPINION - It is the Christmas meme of memes, but not like you know it: all hail the Nativity, invented by St Francis THE Christmas crib is 800 years old. That’s right, the Nativity scene with ox, ass and manger wasn’t always a thing. It was the genius idea of St Francis of Assisi, who had returned from the Holy Land and thought to himself that the landscape around Greccio, near Assisi, was…
Top News · Dec 21, 2023 Hulk Hogan baptized, declares love for Jesus in heartwarming announcement Get ready for a wild ride as Hulk Hogan announces his baptism on social media. The wrestling legend embraces his faith with love and no judgment, inspiring...
The Conversation · Dec 21, 2023 New date, same traditions: Ukraine's wartime Christmas celebrations This year, despite the raging war, people in Ukraine will continue celebrating Christmas – but not without politics.
The Guardian - UK · Dec 21, 2023 Mystery of Raphael masterpiece may have been solved by Bradford-made AI University of Bradford algorithm says most of Madonna della Rosa was by Raphael – but not the face of Joseph
The Guardian - AU · Dec 20, 2023 Christmas carols bring hope in a hopeless time. No matter, we’ll keep singing – with tissues handy At church, we feel our fragile hopes, together. Raising your voice along with others somehow redirects the gloom, even redeems it a little
Evening Standard · Dec 20, 2023 Arsenal XI vs Liverpool: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today Thomas Partey and Jorginho are both racing back to fitness ahead of the new year
The Conversation · Dec 20, 2023 With 'White Christmas,' Irving Berlin and Bing Crosby helped make Christmas a holiday that all Americans could celebrate Irving Berlin was a Jewish immigrant who loved America. As his 1938 song “God Bless America” suggests, he believed deeply in the nation’s potential for goodness, unity and global leadership.
The Conversation · Dec 18, 2023 Who wrote the Bible? The Bible tells an overall story about the history of the world: creation, fall, redemption and God’s Last Judgement of the living and the dead.