This is a painting by artist Patricia Brintle titled "Madonna and child - Hope for the World." (CNS/Bridgeman Images)

Dear Social Policy Advocates in our Catholic Charities family:

Jesus said, "I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly." Jn 10:10

We give thanks to God for all the Catholic Charities staff and volunteers who continue the mission of Jesus, bringing the hope of Christmas to those they serve every day of the year.

~ The CCUSA Social Policy Team

(The Washington Weekly will resume on the first Friday of the new year. Many thanks to Michael Granger, chief operations officer at Catholic Charities Diocese of Lubbock, who was first to answer that Germany is the country credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition.)