Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. This year, Advent began Nov. 30, the start of the new liturgical year.

Joe Krivanek lights a candle in late June at St. Mary’s Church in Albany, N.Y. (Credit: Emily Benson/The Evangelist via CNS.) Listen WESTMERE, New York — Linda Brown approached the candle stand at her ...

Every week, Marta Hernández walks to Madrid’s San Andres church and lights a candle for St. Isidro. Most of the time, the 75-year-old prays for the health of her children and grandchildren. Every now ...

Here’s a quick explanation of what Advent means for Christians and Catholics, and the origins behind some other Christmas ...

In early December, Rev. David Johnson of Libertyville Covenant Church received a letter that he believed was a threat to his congregation’s Christmas Eve services and, more significantly, his right to ...

A visit to church may be good for the soul but not so good for the lungs, a new study shows. Scientists from Maastricht University found that burning candles and incense in church can release ...

Going to church may be good for the soul, but some Dutch researchers say it may not be so healthy for the lungs. The candles and incense regularly burned during religious services emit high levels of ...

Angelina Savini prepares to roll her candle in herbs Sunday during a class at the Church of the Earth on West Morgan Street in Raleigh. [email protected] Armed with a candle covered in ...