Whether we like it or not, gift-giving has become characteristic of how we celebrate Christmas. When someone asks us “are you ready for Christmas?”, we automatically translate this to “do you have all of your shopping done?” Somehow, the message behind giving a gift has been lost in the exchange; the language has been distorted ...read more

Salt + Light Television presents a series of blogs reflecting on Advent and Christmas by Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto, Bishop William McGrattan, and Salt + Light CEO Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB.  The series will look at Mary, Joseph, the Word Made Flesh, and the Magi, and will be spread over the next two weeks.  We ...read more

Rita Sawaya's - Advent 2010 on Maui - Hawai'i. ...read more

Yesterday morning, one of my colleagues came looking for advice from the S+L producers. As a parent facilitating a children’s catechism class, she wanted to know how to get kids excited about the spiritual meaning of Christmas. Soon, we were able to extract the root problem: she wasn’t feeling very enthusiastic about it herself. I ...read more

I remember as a kid watching Christmas music videos on December 25th.  Among those videos was one tune that I couldn’t believe was considered a Christmas song.  To me the singing was bizarre: a kind of slurred, harsh barking; contrasted by a more melodious female voice.  The content of the song, hardly struck me as ...read more

I know your works. You have the name of being alive, and you are dead. Awake, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep that, and repent. That is an ...read more

First of all, this week’s episode of Perspectives is the first one to ever merit a “viewer discretion” advisory at the onset! And not without due reason; we have come to discover that many people have strong opinions about Santa and about the version of Christmas that he represents (particularly those under 12 years old). ...read more

Over the past few days, I have heard some of the most moving and meaningful Advent homilies of my life. As a result, I felt inspired to share some of what I have been learning and so “The Word: Still becoming flesh” a new Advent episode of Catholic Focus is born! As a child, Advent ...read more

As you know, in this time of Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, we prepare to welcome our Lord into our hearts.  It is a time of reflection, of penance, but also of subdued joy.  For some though, it can be a difficult time, particularly when December 25th arrives.  The joy of Christmas may ...read more

The night was still, the stars shinning bright. My friends and I lie awake, the fire gives us light. We watch our sheep and pray God hears our plight. How will we ever escape the painful lives we lead? Israel is held captive; we long to be freed, so we lie in silence and pray ...read more