FAITH ALIVE! -- #44

In a Nutshell

Jesus was born in an oppressed nation and into a people who felt helpless. Celebrating his birth still brings hope to those feeling overwhelmed.

Through Jesus' birth, hope and joy are brought to each situation. Christ entered the world; he continues to share people's lives.

The incarnation means God is joined to humanity, entering both the good and bad of human experience.

Catholic News Service
3211 Fourth St NE
Washington DC 20017
202.541.3250
cns@catholicnews.com

Food for Thought
		What can we make of Jesus' birth? There is so much to say about any birth. Here I'd just like to say that Christmas is a reminder that the incarnation is real -- and that it poses a challenge to us. First, Jesus' birth says a lot about God. God is among us, not distant and uninvolved. We're challenged to recognize what kind of God we have. Second, his birth says a lot about us. I think it affirms humanity's worth -- that human nature wasn't simply beneath the Lord. I like to think the incarnation is all about bringing out the best in humanity. It clears the way to see why it makes sense to be hopeful for our world. full story

The right time to celebrate Christ's birth

By Father Herbert Weber

Catholic News Service

About two weeks before Christmas a college student told me how stressed he was with semester exams, a troubled relationship with his girlfriend and worries about returning to a home where he was at odds with his parents. At the same time, he wanted to get in touch with the spiritual side of Christmas.

The young man concluded, "It's just the wrong time for Christmas to take place." He wanted to observe Christmas when he could be free from other pressures and turmoil.

full story

What if Herod had joined the Magi on their journey?

By Father Richard Rice, SJ

Catholic News Service

Four hundred Jesuits gathered in an auditorium at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. It was a gathering of our whole province, and we were listening for the first time in our history to a panel of four people, none a Jesuit; but all of whom were associated with us in ministry.

Among the first three speakers were an administrator, a university professor and a high school teacher. Now it was Linda's turn, and she wasted no time deftly putting a rapier into our collective rib cage.

full story

Events leading up to the "birth day of Christ"

By Joseph Kelly

Catholic News Service

The Gospel accounts of the Nativity (Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2) do not say what day Jesus was born. There were attempts to calculate the day, but by the third century Christians realized this was impossible.

So they tried other ways to determine a date for Jesus' birth.

full story

	Faith in the Marketplace
		This Week's Discussion Point: Describe a unique or continuing family Christmas tradition in your home.
		Selected Response From Readers: