The first known nativity scene figurines are on display this Christmas in one of Rome’s oldest basilicas.

The underground Chapel of the Nativity in the Basilica of St. Mary Major -- known to Italians as Santa Maria Maggiore -- once contained at least six marble nativity statues sculpted by Arnolfo di Cambio in the late 13th century.

Advent is also the time to remember how our Blessed Mother brought the Light of the World to us, as recounted from Genesis through the Epistles.

When nature is at its darkest in our part of the world at the winter solstice, we anticipate the coming of light, when the light of the sun will begin to shorten the night. This became symbolic of the coming of Christ who declared himself to be the “Light of the World” (John 6:12). This is the focus of Advent in many forms of Christian worship.

With mass unemployment still high as the coronavirus pandemic drags on, Catholics can look to St. Joseph as a special intercessor, two priests said.

Citing the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt, devotional writer Fr. Donald Calloway said St. Joseph is “very empathetic” towards those suffering unemployment.

“He himself at some point would have been unemployed in the Flight to Egypt,” the priest told CNA. “They had to pack up everything and go to a foreign country with nothing. They didn’t plan on that.”

This Sunday marks the beginning of the end of the Advent season. For the past few weeks, the Church has called on believers to prepare their hearts to meet the Lord Jesus. And while there are still a few days left, it’s time for us to recall the mystery and the glory of the Lord’s Nativity.

It is time to glaringly admit the initiation of a new phase for the Christian Iraqis marked by a promising and a bright future. It is also the time to mark the blowing of the "positive" winds of change in Iraq and the entire Middle East.

On December 16, 2020, the Iraqi parliament approved the bill which sanctions the birth of Lord Jesus Christ as a "holiday for everyone" with "annual frequency".

“Am I not here,” said Our Lady of Guadalupe, “I who have the honor to be your mother? Are you not in my shadow and under my protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms?”

 Praised be Jesus Christ!

January 18-25 marks the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. On this week, Christians worldwide make solemn and sincere prayers seeking Lord Jesus Christ's mercy and inspiration to help attain the long-inspired Christian unity.

An atmosphere of elation has overwhelmed the suffering Christian Iraqis. Merriment overshadowed Iraq with the news spreading about the intention of the successor of St. Peter, the man of peace and fraternity, His Holiness Pope Francis to visit Iraq in early March 2021.

This is the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday, the Latin word gaudetebeing the imperative call to “rejoice” at the nearness of the coming of Christ. Our first reading is from the prophet Isaiah, who tells us of the One to come. He is anointed by the Lord and clothed with the “robe of salvation” and “a mantle of justice.” He rejoices “heartily in the Lord,” for God is the “joy” of his soul. 

With life abounding with endless problems, the only option left for people to find possible solution to insurmountable problems is day- dreaming.

With Christmas celebrations to be shortly marked--at a time when they are being concomitant with financial and social problems triggered by the  Corona pandemic lockdowns and restrictions that have interrupted people’s lives and brought suffering on a global scale-- His Holiness  Pope Francis launched  a new book  titled, “Let Us Dream”.