Christmas 2022
The Latest
The Holy Thorn: In Glastonbury, England, a special hawthorn tree blooms every year at Christmas
This special variety of hawthorn grows in and around Glastonbury and the legendary, original tree is said to have sprouted... Read more
Where does the ‘Feast of the 7 Fishes’ Christmas Eve tradition come from?
The feast stems from the southern part of Italy and spans generations. Read more
D.C. basilica offers virtual tour of the joyful mysteries for Christmas
Five chapels inside the vast Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception depict the five Joyful Mysteries, juxtaposed... Read more
First known Nativity scene figurines are on display in Rome
The first known Nativity scene figurines are housed in the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Read more
PHOTOS: Italian play recalls St. Francis’ Nativity in Greccio
On Dec. 26, actors in Greccio, Italy put on a play telling the story of how St. Francis of Assisi... Read more
Here are your favorite Christmas carols (kind of)
For the second year in a row, we at CNA conducted an informal poll on social media to determine which... Read more
The Christmas Truce of 1914: Here’s what really happened
On a chilly Christmas morning, soldiers from both sides of the trenches clambered over the barbed wire, arms raised, and... Read more
The 8 days of Christmas? A look at the Christmas octave
The Church’s Western liturgical tradition sees Christmas as an octave, an eight-day celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Read more
Full text: Pope Francis’ Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing 2022
The following is the full text of the pope’s Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” address delivered from the central balcony overlooking... Read more
On Christmas Day, Pope Francis prays for Prince of Peace to end ‘third world war’
Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 25, the pope offered the traditional “Urbi et Orbi”... Read more
Full text: Pope Francis’ homily for Christmas 2022
Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Read more
Pope Francis on Christmas: The manger is a sign that God is with us and loves us
“What does this night still have to say to our lives?” Pope Francis asked. Read more
This Santa rides a camel around Jerusalem every year. Here’s why
Every year on the feast of St. Nicholas, Issa Anis Kassisieh dons a red suit, black boots, and a thick... Read more
A double Christmas for Ukrainian Christians? Orthodox Church opens a door
Traditionally, Christmas in predominantly Orthodox Ukraine comes on Jan. 7. But some of Ukraine’s Orthodox Christians can now add Dec.... Read more
Pope Francis offers five commitments as Christmas approaches
Pope Francis’ 2021 Angelus message for Advent is worth recalling in the closing days before Christmas this year. Read more
Bishop calls on armed bands to observe a cease-fire for a peaceful Christmas in Colombia
Bishop Mario Álvarez Gómez of Istmina-Tadó, Colombia, called on the various armed groups in his country to observe a “unilateral... Read more
Caroling Catholic nuns surprise holiday shoppers in downtown Boston
Through their songs, the Daughters of St. Paul reminded passersby of the real meaning of Christmas. Read more
European Parliament displays Nativity scene for first time in its history
Until now, officials of the European institution had considered it “potentially offensive.” Read more
The hidden message in ancient ‘O Antiphons’ of Advent
An emeritus Texas bishop is highlighting an Advent message hidden in the O Antiphons — prayers that are said in... Read more
PHOTOS: Vatican Christmas tree lighting ceremony 2022
A large hand-carved wooden nativity scene was unveiled in St. Peter Square on Saturday night at the Vatican’s Christmas tree... Read more
