In his latest document, Pope Francis reflected on the Nativity scene. (Photo: Andreas Böhme) December is almost over and we have gone from preparation mode to the peace of Christmas. Maybe our preparation wasn’t so...
Christmas / Nthabiseng Maphisa
by Nthabiseng Maphisa · Published December 30, 2019 · Last modified December 20, 2019
It’s that time of the year again. There has been overeating and overshopping. The malls were filled with children and teenagers. There was the clamour of trolleys as they crashed together and the swoosh...
Curious people watched as a young girl dressed in rustic clothes rode a donkey in the streets of Wallacedene township near Kraaifontein in Cape Town. The girl was escorted by shepherds and angels through...
Christmas / Church / Julia Beacroft
by Julia Beacroft · Published December 26, 2019 · Last modified December 20, 2019
Have you ever received a really tiny Christmas present and wondered what on earth it could be? Is there actually anything in here at all, I’ve wondered on the occasions when I’ve been the...
About us / Christmas / Church / Church History
by Admin · Published December 25, 2019 · Last modified December 17, 2019
The war-time Christmas edition of The Southern Cross in 1944 was a 12-page affair. GÜNTHER SIMMERMACHER steps into a time-capsule from 75 years ago. In 1944, the concerns of the Church were still with...
Christmas, the coming of God as an infant, didn’t happen 2000 years ago, but is happening today, as ARCHBISHOP WILLIAM SLATTERY OFM explains. In their 1990s song “Everybody Hurts”, the US rock band R.E.M. sang: “So, hold...
More Stories: Christmas Trivia Quiz! Marriage advice: Make time for each other, especially at Christmas Christmas Message from Jerusalem: Prepare for God’s Surprises Want To Add To Hope, Joy, Reflection, Healing? Then You Can...
Christmas / Church / Short Stories
by Fr Ralph de Hahn · Published December 25, 2019 · Last modified December 17, 2019
Short Story By Fr Ralph De Hahn Pastor Jim Dunn was appointed to the parish church on 68th Street in Brooklyn, New York City. He and his wife, Edna, had moved in about 1956....
Christmas / Church / Church History
by Admin · Published December 24, 2019 · Last modified December 19, 2019
One of the great poets of the ages, St Ephrem of Syria left us with a treasure of profound Christmas reflections. Who was he, and what did he say about Christmas almost 1700 years...
Biography of Hymns / Christmas / Church / Simmermacher
by Gunther Simmermacher · Published December 24, 2019 · Last modified December 19, 2019
‘Once In Royal David’s City’ was written as a catechism for children; today it is one of the most beloved Christmas carols. Günther Simmermacher looks at its backstory. Musical arrangement can make all the...
Christmas / Church / Simmermacher
by Admin · Published December 24, 2019 · Last modified December 23, 2019
25 questions to test your Christmas knowledge! Compiled by Günther Simmermacher 1.In which country may people wish you Merry Christmas by saying: “Mbotama Malamu!” a) Congo b) Ghana c) Kenya 2. Which Gospel reports...
Christmas / Church / Simmermacher
by Gunther Simmermacher · Published December 23, 2019 · Last modified December 20, 2019
There are many Christmas movies, but how many of them are actually good and edifying? Günther Simmermacher picks 15 seasonal films to see. For Catholics, finding suitable Christmas movies is a challenge. Most seasonal...
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