Christmas News

Op-Ed: 12 days of Christmas? Not for iTunes

For the past three years Digital Journal has showcased some of the top iTunes giveaways from Apple during the 12 days following Christmas. Not this year, however, since Apple has called time on the promotion.

Glen Campbell spends Christmas with family in Nashville‏

Nashville - Veteran country music star Glen Campbell celebrated the Christmas holiday with his family in Nashville, Tennessee, yesterday.

In Liberia, Ebola steals Christmas

Monrovia - The Ebola epidemic has cast a dark shadow over Christmas this year in Liberia, where small businesses are especially feeling the pinch."This is the worst Christmas we have ever seen," said Isaac G. Chea, a trader. "Because of the Ebola crisis...

Keeping safe over the holidays Special

Toronto - The excitement and activities of holiday season creates a timely opportunity to review safety strategies, like the buddy system, with parents and children. Two Canadian organizations have combined efforts to offer some timely advice.

Pope condemns religious persecution in Christmas address

- Pope Francis on Thursday roundly condemned jihadist violence and the "brutal persecution" of religious minorities in a Christmas message to the world's 1.2 billion Catholics and millions of others.

Holiday lights revealed by NASA

The NOAA/NASA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite, has allowed NASA to identify how patterns in nighttime light intensity change during major holiday seasons.

History of tinsel revealed (video)

Nuremberg - At this time of year many homes, workplaces, shopping malls and the like are decorated with tinsel, a sparkling type of decorative garland material. Why do we do this? Where did the tradition come from? A new video reveals all.

Pope likely to address year of conflicts in Christmas message

- Pope Francis will celebrate Christmas on Thursday by sending the world's 1.2 billion Catholics and millions of others his traditional "urbi et orbi" message at the close of a year plagued by war and religious fundamntalism.

Pope urges 'tenderness' as millions celebrate Christmas

- Pope Francis led Christmas Eve mass in the Vatican calling for "tenderness" and "warmth" after a violence-plagued year as millions of Christians began marking the holiday.

Christmas pilgrims gather in Bethlehem after hard year

Bethlehem - Millions of Christians around the world began Christmas celebrations Wednesday, with worshippers in the Middle East marking the occasion after a violence-plagued year that brought suffering to many.

Cuba prepares for Christmas with early gift from Obama

Havana - Cubans prepared Wednesday to celebrate Christmas, a resurgent holiday banned for 38 years by the communist government, with an early gift from US President Barack Obama: a historic rapprochement.

Lighting up London for Christmas Special

There is something magical about lights and trees during the holiday season. Digital Journal paid a visit to London to explore some of the sights and the best bits are captured in this photo essay.

After the war, a bittersweet Christmas in Gaza

Gaza - A garland in hand, 11-year-old Sara decorates the family Christmas tree with her parents. But this year, the young Gazan will be spending the rest of the holiday alone.

Christmas day sales to hit $690k a minute online

A new study has shown that rather than taking part in the festivities or helping with the cooking this Christmas, many will be taking to their phones to participate in an online shopping frenzy as the sales open throughout the big day.

The 'science' behind Christmas — Part 2

To close out an interesting year in science, Digital Journal brings you another round of the "science behind Christmas" features.

English pub spends £1000 a week on power for Christmas lights

At this festive time of the year, sparkling lights adorn many neighborhoods across the globe. A standard display doesn't cost a lot to run across the season but one village pub in England is spending £1000 ($1700) a week on power to keep its array alight

Pentatonix announce European leg of 'On My Way Home' tour

Grammy-nominated a-cappella vocal group Pentatonix have announced their U.K. and European leg of their "On My Way Home" tour.

Review: Lola Dutronic's new Christmas single Special

Toronto - Christmas songs can be two-a-penny at this time of year. However, this year one song stands out from the others: an infectious dance number from Canadian pop pioneers Lola Dutronic.

Madonna releases 6 songs 'as an early Christmas gift'

People leaking Madonna's new music off her 13th album hasn't stopped her, as she recently, surprisingly, released six new songs off her forthcoming album, Rebel Heart.

Review: Darlene Love wows audience on 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)'

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love performed her holiday classic on "The Late Show with David Letterman" for the final time.

Op-Ed: Candid Christmas talk with Santa Claus on Grouse Mountain hike

I went to a Vancouver mall seeking an interview with Santa Claus last week only there were too many bleeping kids about for us to talk. But Santa told me he'd parked his sleigh up on Grouse Mountain and then invited me to join him on his hike back to it.

Review: Medieval music by Winter Harp warms wintry night Special

Courtenay - Like-minded musicians in Winter Harp are continuing a medieval legacy with annual pre-Christmas concerts complete with unique instruments and compelling narration.

Review: 'The Nutcracker' shines and shimmers in Toronto Special

Toronto - Wonder, whimsy, delight, and fantasy — The National Ballet of Canada’s annual production of 'The Nutcracker' is sheer delight. The production retains its splendor and beauty close to two decades years after making its debut.

Christmas at Kew Gardens in London Special

London - Kew Gardens in London is holding a special event in the run-up to Christmas. Each evening the gardens are lit up along a mile-long walkway. As visitors wander through there are various entertainments, food, drink and plenty of Christmas cheer!

Op-Ed: Christmas truces of World War I: Lessons in giving peace a chance

I am grateful for the goodness Christmas brings and while I've advocated it come but once each four years, like the Olympics, I paradoxically wish it were Christmas every day. Because to those who celebrate it, it can have a marvelous and peaceful effect.

Storm cuts power to shoppers at San Francisco's Union Square Special

San Francisco - It looks as if California got its wish for rain as a storm hit the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday night. Rain and wind continued all day Thursday and is expected to let up by the weekend.

Op-Ed: Church makes movie to tell true meaning of Christmas Special

Petaluma - For many believers in the Christian message, Christmastime is something special. This is especially so for the members of Eastside Free Will Baptist Church in Petaluma. The emphasis for them is to move away from the commercialism of the holiday season.

Op-Ed: It is the women of our world who make Christmas wonderful

Christmas is a hulking thing that careens willy-nilly about and it is at once both exhilarating and completely and absolutely exhausting. It is not a picnic, not Christmas, it is one holiday that demands real effort.

Utah family tells their three kids — 'No presents this year'

Hurricane - One Utah family's decision to cancel Christmas gift-giving for their three children has raised eyebrows across the nation. The decision has also sparked a conversation across the Internet on the subject of parenting and entitlement.

Employees working holidays to be paid double if CA bill passes

Sacramento - Workers in California who work on Thanksgiving and Christmas may get a bit of financial relief if a California lawmaker has her way. Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez plans to introduce a bill doubling the pay of employees who work on the two holidays.