The question of whether it is a "Christmas tree" or a "holiday tree" and whether the manger scene can appear in a public space makes a big difference to us Christians. And it makes a big difference to others.

"No matter how neat and tidy the Nativity story has become, mothers know the rawness of it all. Mary had morning sickness and swollen ankles and fatigue. She felt emotion so deep it made her weep. Her water broke, and her body heaved in sweat and pain as she labored like so many women have throughout history. She cried out in anguish and, later, in joy."

GSR Today - Most women's congregations in Europe and America have been around a long time, founded by women who lived hundreds of years ago. However, in my travels in Asia and Africa, I have met numerous congregations whose foundresses are still living, and whose congregations are less than 100 years old. 

For Sr. María Molina of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Assumption, a strong heart and an unwavering faith are fundamental tools in working with children at social risk. When hearing their tragic stories of abuse, "one has to be very firm and very balanced," so as not to become overwhelmed, she says. "They easily tell a story that one never imagines -- and yet it happens."

Female head porters are unskilled, uneducated migrant women, usually from poverty-stricken families of northern Ghana who move down to southern Ghana for work. They generally live in very poor conditions and lack social protection; they are exposed to all forms of sexual and physical exploitation, resulting in unplanned pregnancies and children being raised on the street. Because their job involves lifting and carrying heavy goods for long distances, most of them suffer physical ailments.

"Promoting migrants and refugees essentially means a determined effort to ensure that all migrants and refugees — as well as the communities which welcome them — are empowered to achieve their potential as human beings, in all the dimensions which constitute the humanity intended by the Creator."

I'll never forget the moment I first laid eyes on my niece, Lucy. I'd been following the updates all day, and now I was standing before a few-hours-old baby. 

See for Yourself - I unwrapped the early Christmas present that was part of a Secret Santa gathering. The gifts were fairly inexpensive because it was just the fun of opening everything that increased the chatter.

"The mountains, deer, pines, gorges, mountain lions, birds and air spoke of sacredness and the thumbprint of the Creator writ large as the Book of Romans passage speaks: 'Since the creation of the world God has made known invisible qualities of wonder and love.' So what excuse do we have not to protect these areas?"

GSR Today - We received hundreds of comments from our readers to help us make our award-winning online publication even better. We want to share some of the survey results and how they will help us shape our coverage, as well as share highlights of our annual planning meeting Nov. 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri.