RELIGION HEADLINES
Written by on December 24, 2024
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(SRN NEWS) – For the first time in its 900-year history, girls will form part of the choir performing at the Christmas Day service at London’s majestic St. Paul’s Cathedral. The first two girls to become full choristers officially joined the previously all-male choir in June. St. Paul’s is one of the most important churches in England. It has been the site of numerous state events, including the wedding of Prince Charles, now the king, and the funeral of Winston Churchill. Many of Britain’s greatest figures are buried in the cathedral, including Admiral Horatio Nelson and the Duke of Wellington.
Hanukkah, Judaism’s eight-day Festival of Lights, begins this year on Christmas Day. That’s only happened four times since 1900. It is intended as an upbeat holiday, but this year it’s taking place amid continuing war between Israel and terrorist groups, as well as growing anti-Semitism around the world. Rabbi Moshe Hauer of the Orthodox Union says while many Jews may be feeling anxious, most will still celebrate Hanukkah — lighting candles on the menorah. There will also be hundreds of public menorah lightings across the country.
Another somber Christmas in Bethlehem, thanks to last year’s attack on Israel by Hamas which has triggered more than a year of war. The birthplace of Christ will not have the usual trappings of the city’s favorite holiday: no public Christmas tree, no raucous scouts march, no decorations and no twinkling lights. As Bethlehem prepares to mark its second Christmas under the shadow of war, Manger Square is empty of tourists and many businesses aren’t sure how much longer they can hold on. Hamas’ October 2023 attack killed more than 1,200 Israelis.
A judge has ruled that Missouri’s near-total abortion ban is unenforceable under a new constitutional amendment. But Planned Parenthood says it still isn’t able to resume providing abortions in Missouri. That’s because the judge has left in place licensure requirements for abortion facilities, which Planned Parenthood says it cannot currently meet. Missouri is one of five states where voters approved abortion ballot measures on Election Day. Similar measures, which would enshrine abortion in the state constitution, failed in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota.
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