Christmas Supplement

All years

Click on any of the items below to see the full story.

2005

• Several feasts among this year’s 17 days of Christmas
• Readers share favorite Christmas memories
  • Wise men journey around house on way to Nativity
  • Ecuadorian woman recalls first Christmas in U.S.
  • Singing brought healing for vocalist on Christmas Eve
  • Mom finds Christmas spirit in her children’s happiness
  • Mother’s funeral was blessed event for family
  • Mother’s last Christmas was a lesson in the joy of giving
  • Boy’s example of service is a Christmas Store ‘miracle’
  • Latin, English Masses welcome Emmanuel
  • Christmas caroling is beloved tradition
  • Christmas in 1946 was fun with siblings
  • Adoptions precede memorable Christmas
  • Christmas means finding hay for the Nativity crib
  • Friend exemplifies the ‘spirit of Christmas’
  • Christmas in Tanzania is an interfaith celebration

2006

• Archangel Gabriel shares story of his role in the Incarnation
• Readers share favorite Christmas memories
  • God’s love made visible during birth of grandson on Christmas
  • Soldier is grateful to attend Christmas Mass during war
  • Generosity results in doll for little girl
  • Helping men with disabilities made Christmas 2005 special
  • Mother of 13 children copes with her husband’s death at Christmas
  • Nativity play of 1972 was special surprise performance for parents
  • God’s gift of another year of life is best present of all for cancer patient
  • Surprise visit from Santa Claus reminds girl to count her blessings

2007

• Christmas Eve in the county
• The Christmas story as Joseph might have written about it
• Reader’s share favorite Christmas memories
  • Neighbor’s special present thrills girl with its magic
  • Boy surprises family with solo at Christmas Eve Mass
  • Child treasures memories of books, handmade gifts
  • Mother cherishes memories of son born on Christmas
  • Christmas Mass unites family in their love for Jesus
  • Children teach Santa about true meaning of Christmas
  • Woman misses yesteryear and old-fashioned Christmas in city
  • Broken Nativity set leads woman to conversion experience
  • Dad cooks memorable breakfast on Christmas
  • Novices surprise sisters by singing beautiful carol
  • Video preserves family’s love and special blessings
  • Family’s Christmas dinner continues late into the night
  • Grandma’s house and Dad’s stories are special memories

2008

• The Infancy Gospels: More than the birth of Jesus
• Readers share their favorite Christmas memories
  • Church ladies teach poor children about God’s love
  • Christmas Eve Mass offers glimpse of mystery of God
  • Christmas teaches children about gifts of faith and joy
  • Family continues tradition of decorating tree on Thanksgiving
  • Teenager is stunned to ‘get’ the true gift of Christmas
  • Mother’s sacrifice was wonderful gift of love

2009

• Deep roots: Bohman Christmas Tree Farm creates holiday memories for many families
• The Incarnation and Christ’s pre-existence: At Christmas, we celebrate the birthday of the God-man sent by his Father to accomplish our redemption
• Readers share their favorite Christmas stories
  • Family traditions make lifetime of memories for 90-year-old
  • Innocence of childhood is at the heart of Christmases’ past
  • Cry out to God as he prepares us for the greatest message of all: Christ’s birth
  • Surprise visit is best Christmas gift ever
  • Tree mishap leads to magic of Christmas season
  • Nylons bring back memories of uncomfortable Midnight Mass
  • Christmas with the cousins is a great family legacy

2010

• The Incarnation: A myth that is also a fact
• Readers share their favorite Christmas stories
  • A different kind of Christmas last year is a treasured memory
  • Father and son enjoyed helping Franciscan sisters decorate convent
  • Honoring the Sabbath is greatest gift you can give yourself all year
  • Late-night flower delivery brings special meaning to Christmas
  • Longtime friends looked forward to celebrating Christmas together
  • Father’s sudden death unites his grieving family in the Philippines
  • Family’s Christmases were frugal, but filled with love and fun times
  • Last Christmas spent with her father creates many special family memories for a lifetime
  • Parish ‘caring tree’ helps make Christmas special for gift giver
  • Christ’s gift of a moment of peace helps woman experience joy and love during Advent season

2011

• Innkeeper tells of the miraculous birth of Christ
• Readers share their favorite Christmas memories
  • Surprise proves that grace is found where you least expect it
  • Children ask Santa Claus for new Nativity set for their Christmas gift
  • Dolls bring magic of Christmas for woman who helped children
  • Christmas provides years of special memories of faith and fellowship

2012

• A Christmas reflection from Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.
• An archangel announces the birth of Jesus
• Readers share their favorite Christmas memories
  • Setting up crèche with grandma and aunt is special Advent memory
  • Father finds out the hard way that frugality isn’t always the best idea
  • Mother celebrates Christmas with the birth of her fourth child
  • Receiving first holy Communion on Christmas morning is best gift ever
  • Father-daughter Christmas in Austria and Bavaria is ‘best ever’
  • Twelve siblings gather several times each year to celebrate faith and family
  • The gift of the Catholic faith on Christmas Eve is priceless
  • Family traditions at Christmas span many years and several generations
  • Pastor celebrates universal Church with multicultural Christmas wishes
  • Some Christmas presents are best when bought at the last minute
  • Miracle of flowers surprises homesick woman on Christmas
  • New tombstone for mother is unique Christmas present from children
  • Christmas Eve engagement leads to 18 years of happy married life