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December 2011

December 22, 2011

A toast to eggnog

Curious about where that peculiar holiday tonic originated? Everything you need to know is here:...

December 20, 2011

Priest who was beaten, robbed returns to give out Christmas gifts

An inspirational story of the season from Chicago: The Rev. Daniel Mallette, the 80-year-old South...

December 19, 2011

Santa’s newest elf?

It's named Siri. Still stuck for a (pricey) stocking stuffer? Get a load of Apple's...

December 19, 2011

Have yourself an angry little Christmas…

...with this very clever "Angry Birds" - themed light display. As the YouTube posting notes:...

December 17, 2011

Controversial billboard vandalized amid protests

The billboard above, which I mentioned in this post, is literally coming under attack: A...

December 17, 2011

“All are indeed welcome in this place…”

Over at his blog, Deacon Bill Ditewig shares a timely and thought-provoking dream: The dream? ...

December 15, 2011

The Christmas story, as told by children

This is now causing a sensation on YouTube. It comes to us from New Zealand....

December 15, 2011

Jesus in the mall: amazing Eucharistic flash mob in California

Just watch: Seems to me the folks behind this are clearly getting their inspiration from...

December 14, 2011

St. Joseph tweets: “Next stop, Bethlehem!”

An anonymous German man is tweeting the story of the Nativity as "Joseph von Nazareth"...

December 10, 2011

Christmas card of the year

The mayor of San Juan, Jorge Santini, is sending the card pictured above to some...

December 09, 2011

Catholic League launches “Adopt-an-Atheist” campaign

This year's anti-Christmas billboard may have touched a nerve -- but at least they're responding...

December 08, 2011

Circle of light: behind the Advent wreath

It's a popular fixture in Catholic churches and homes, but the Advent wreath comes with...

December 08, 2011

Let there be lights: pope uses tablet to light world’s largest Christmas tree

You can read all about it here. Evidently, he opted for a Sony S, rather...

December 07, 2011

It’s here: this season’s first big holiday flash mob

Leave it to T-Mobile to kick-start the season with another splashy production number in a...

December 07, 2011

Another sign of Christmas: billboards from atheists

They're back: Nearly $40,000 was spent during the last Christmas season on a billboard war between...

December 06, 2011

O, Tannen-bomb: the Christmas tree controversy in Rhode Island

Trouble is taking root, and spreading: Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee unwrapped a Christmas conundrum...

December 06, 2011

A prayer to St. Nicholas — UPDATED

Good St Nicholas, Help us prepare for the miracle of the coming of Jesus. Help...

December 06, 2011

What happens when Santa gives $100 to needy strangers?

For some, it's a gift of hope and an answered prayer. From the Reading Eagle...

December 05, 2011

Have an ice Christmas

Once again, they've erected a stunning nativity scene in Graz, Austria, sculpted from ice: The...

December 04, 2011

And now, a nativity scene for the Jetsons

It will be on display at the cathedral in Los Angeles this week, according to...

November 2011

November 30, 2011

“You’re never too old to sit on Santa”

Here's a nice palate-cleanser for you. The latest bit of inspired weirdness from the folks...

November 29, 2011

The cost of Christmas? 12 days, 6 figures

For the first time, the tally of everything in that famous Christmas carol has now...

November 22, 2011

Worth a thousand words

One way to cut costs this Christmas season:

November 11, 2011

Waiting for Christmas

A British department store has come up with a sweet commercial for the Christmas season...

November 02, 2011

A peek inside the "Harvard of Santa schools"

I wonder what they do for gym class. Chimney climbing? Details: The Charles W. Howard...

December 2010

December 26, 2010

God rest ye, merry gentle friends

Visiting a parish in Maryland this weekend, I was surprised that the recessional hymn at...

December 25, 2010

Christmas in Queens

From the nativity scene outside my parish. Blessed Christmas, everyone!

December 24, 2010

Homily for Midnight Mass

Note: I won't be preaching this Christmas, or this weekend. But I'm re-posting this year...

December 23, 2010

The greatest toy story ever told: Mr. Bean goes to Bethlehem

Anyone who's ever played with a small nativity scene -- come on, admit it, you've...

December 22, 2010

"Believe"

Continuing my series of favorite Christmas music, here's Josh Groban with "Believe," the theme from...