God’s Great Gift to Us
In Bethlehem a bit over 2000 years ago, majesty was born in the midst of the mundane, as Fr Ralph de Hahn notes in his Christmas reflection. The little town of Bethlehem was no...
Category: Christmas
Blessed Christmas!
The Southern Cross wishes all its readers and supporters a very Blessed Christmas. God bless you all… More Stories: Southern Cross Christmas Wishes Time to Identify Sin, Help the Poor and See Beauty –...
A Priest Put the Hook in Candy Canes
A sweet that has become symbolic of Christmas treats owes its mass-produced existence to a Catholic priest who once kicked Elvis Presley out of his church hall, as Malea Hargett explains. A Catholic priest...
A Christmas Message from the Heavens
Fifty years ago on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24, 1968) the crew of Apollo 8 entered lunar orbit and began circling the moon – the first time in history for humans to visit another world....
A Painting That Teaches the Nativity
A14th-century altarpiece from Siena, Italy, tells the story of the Nativity in perfect visual terms, as Jem Sullivan explains. ‘Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. Simple shepherds were the ...
Hark! Harold and the Carols
Does the Bible say the angels sang at Christ’s birth? HARRY DUDLEY suggests that whether or not they did, we should just enjoy singing for God’s glory. Did you ever wonder where all this Christmas carolling...
The Rough Beast
Guest Editorial by Fr Lawrence Ndlovu – Christmastide is often characterised by light and great festivity. It is a time of abundance, families and friends feasting, and the exchange of gifts. But this feast...
Come, Lord Jesus, Come
Can you remember the excitement of the arrival of a new child to the family? From the moment the expectant parents announce the news, there is a flurry of activity to prepare the room...
“The Virgin with Angels” – Story Behind the Painting
The cover image on our Christmas edition is titled “The Virgin with Angels” and was painted in 1900 by the French realist painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905). It is currently displayed in the Petit Palais...
Nativity Play in Plett!
Children of St Christopher’s church in Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn diocese, perform their annual Nativity Play. More Stories: St Francis Xavier Parish Seniors Christmas Lunch St John’s Parish, Fishhoek Nativity Play! Nativity play at St...
Pope: God’s Christmas Wish Isn’t a Buying-Frenzy, But the Gift of Self
Christmas will not be authentic if people get caught up in a frenzy of shopping, presents and meals, all while ignoring the poor and forgetting who the celebration is really all about, Pope...
True Christmas Celebrates Jesus: Tender and Humble
With Christmas just over a week away, visitors came to St. Peter’s Square with their Baby Jesus figurines for a traditional blessing by the pope. Many children came with small figurines for their family...
