Joy does not simply happen to us, writes Deacon Franz Fruehwald. It grows where there is space cleared by humility, softened ...

As we listen to these readings for the first Sunday of Advent, we may be perplexed by what we hear. First, Paul’s letter to the Romans urges his listeners to put away what is dark and cultivate the ...

Advent's Lent-like waiting period is exactly why churches do not immediately whip out Christmas trees at the end of Ordinary ...

The Christian season of Advent, which begins this Sunday, is a four-week period of preparation for Christmas. Advent's themes of hope, peace, joy, and love are symbolized by lighting candles, moving ...

An Advent wreath is circular and symbolizes everlasting life and unending love. The arrangement is used to put our attention ...

Nor can we observe Advent without the Blessed Mother. “Among creatures, no one knows Christ better than Mary; no one can introduce us to a profound knowledge of his mystery better than his Mother,” ...

Advent is a peculiar season, one that might only be known by those who attend liturgical churches that closely follow the Christian calendar. Some people put up Christmas decorations and trees before ...

Just before the end of October, on one of my normal visits to a local grocery store, I turned a corner to see the customary wall of Halloween candy. I paused momentarily to take in the vision of sweet ...

It’s simply not too early to start thinking about Christmas, thanks to this year’s lineup of advent calendars. Yep, they’re that good. No matter what your (or your giftee’s) jam is—beauty, food, ...