"Twas the Night Before Christmas" is an iconic piece of poetry by today's standards, with its description of jolly old St. Nick and his eight reindeer helping create the modern depiction of Santa ...

To some people, Christmastime is nothing more than a season of generosity, joy, dressing up evergreen trees, waiting for Santa Claus and buying gifts for your loved ones. To others, Christmastime is ...

When you think of Christmas, most think of Santa Claus. Although the legendary character Santa is part of Christmas, it hasn’t always been like that. In fact, Santa Claus is the product of the merging ...

The 16th-century Christmas carol "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" says, "God rest ye merry, gentlemen / Let nothing you dismay / Remember, Christ, our Saviour / Was born on Christmas Day." It’s a ...

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — It’s the “most wonderful time of the year,” but not always. Just ask the Hessians in Trenton or the crew of the Santa Maria. Celebrations and religious connotations aside, ...

I love cookies. I doubt there’s a cookie I don’t like. That can be a problem, because I can’t just eat one (or two or three). I am obsessed by the smell, aroma, and taste of any number of cookies. And ...

Christmas stockings are a cherished tradition. They're hung on fireplace mantles, stair banisters or the foot of the bed. Some are handmade, store-bought or treasured heirlooms. Regardless of where ...

One of the most surprising — and saddest — occurrences of the past year was the sudden passing of William Beckmann, pastor emeritus at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Batavia. For the past 30 years, ...