J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth — the world of The Lord of the Rings and now the new animated film The War of the Rohirrim — was born, first and foremost, from Tolkien’s intense and lifelong love for language.

One of my favourite Christmas cards is of the infant Christ reaching up from His cradle to cradle the face of a donkey. The look of mutual wonder and delight is suffused with light and love. It sounds kitsch, I know, but in truth it cuts to the heart of the Incarnation, and expresses a profound theological reality.

In the early days of Advent, the ‘Prayer after Communion’ included the words, “for even now, as we walk amid passing things, you teach us by them to love the things of Heaven and hold fast to what endures.” Having experienced many Advent seasons, I know the truth of the words, “We walk amid passing things.” Still, I prefer to contemplate the words, “Love the things of Heaven and hold fast to what endures”.

Discounting the brief wave and greeting I directed to Toronto Archbishop Francis Leo when I viewed him touring The Catholic Register’s office on Yonge Street from the comfort of my remote workspace in Calgary, I first enjoyed a full-on interaction with the now Cardinal this past January.

For the most part, we can say the Catholic Church has done its share to make this a better world, and done this very well despite a few hiccups here and there.

Never has this generation been subjected to such a barrage of disinformation and misinformation as has been generated surrounding the current Israeli military assault on the people of Gaza.

Hope. Is there anything this world needs more? With violence, atrocities and natural disasters filling the news every day, it sometimes feels hopeless and unbearable.

"Why do men become beasts?" The question was asked by South African Archbishop Buti Joseph Tlhagale. In a speech last August, he was warning men that they will be held accountable for the treatment of women.

Pope Francis has always shown deep sensitivity to the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide. Since the beginning of his pontificate, he has regularly spoken out in defence of these vulnerable communities, highlighting the injustices and suffering they endure.

"Yea though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." This line from the Book of Job was the response of Rabbi Abraham Heschel to the question, “How can you possibly believe in God after six million of your people were slaughtered in the holocaust?!” The tears streaming down Rabbi Heschel's face spoke of his anguish over this evil, and perhaps his anguish in not understanding why God allowed it.