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By Christmas Eve the Advent wreath is aglow with the candles of love, hope, joy and peace, and we await the lighting of the White Candle which signifies the coming of Jesus into our world and into our lives. We pray again that this presence will become a reality which we can sense and touch, but for many it becomes an elusive dream that vanishes when they awaken from their restless sleep.

Already vulnerable and alone, many homeless and at risk youth are finding themselves dealing with more than the coronavirus and its restrictions this Christmas. To them, loneliness is another pandemic.

Isn’t it fascinating how, back in spring 2020, at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, the first impulse for comfort and familiarity was an urge to watch Christmas shows? The goodwill and good feels of Christmastime pageantry is powerful medicine.

A diocese of immigrants will be using Canadian sculptor Timothy SchmalzöÏÓãÊÓƵapp acclaimed Angels Unawares as its Nativity this year.

COVID-19 Christmas ornaments are flying off the shelves in Ottawa this holiday season.

ItöÏÓãÊÓƵapp been a long process, but Sandra Dionisi is finally seeing the fruits of the more than 300 hours labour she put into this yearöÏÓãÊÓƵapp Canada Post Christmas stamp.

It is a sad fact that melancholy is a palatable state of mind for many as Dec. 25 approaches — especially in this year of the pandemic.

Over 100 families celebrated Jesus’ birthday just a little early at the annual Daughters of St. Paul Baby Jesus Party on Dec. 7.

The following is an edited version of the annual Christmas message from the president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Richard Gagnon of Winnipeg:

This year, as in each and every year, the Green Church Network is wishing one and all a Green Christmas.