Mitt Romney was hesitant to reveal himself

By Michael Kranish

A Globe review finds many reasons for the presidential candidate’s failure, none greater than how slow he was to tell his own story.

By Elizabeth Lopatto

The US military is testing the use of foam injections as a way to stanch internal bleeding of soldiers wounded on the battlefield.

By Stephanie Armour

Representative Rosa DeLauro, Democrat of Connecticut, says she will introduce a bill to create an agency with the sole mission of protecting food safety.

Egypt’s charter nears approval, but divisions remain

By David D. Kirkpatrick and Mayy el Sheikh

An Islamist-backed constitution appeared headed for approval as divided political factions prepared for a new stage in Egypt’s future.

Russia says it will not help Assad leave Syria

By Kareem Fahim

The foreign minister of Russia, Syria’s most reliable ally, said Russia would not mediate attempts to get President Bashar Assad to leave Syria.

Loyalists who support the government of President Bashar Assad are flocking to the Mediterranean port of Tartus.

Joan Vennochi

Fine line between morals and profit

By Joan Vennochi

Pour proceeds from the sale of Freedom Group into something that nurtures and heals to atone for the fact that it flows from something that destroyed life.

Joanna Weiss

Stigmatize guns

By Joanna Weiss

Gun control can be effective if we start changing the culture — starting with the toy and entertainment industries.

editorial

Patrick hopes that the Newtown tragedy will prompt the Legislature to pass his one gun-a-month measure now.

Mass. fails to rein in sedating of seniors

By Kay Lazar

Regulators rarely take action against nursing homes that, contrary to federal guidelines, use anti-psychotic sedatives to control unruly residents.

Yvonne Abraham

The physics of Santa’s Christmas night journey

By Yvonne Abraham

Like many of you, Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham lies awake this time of year, fretting about how Santa Claus pulls it off.

An Arlington evangelical church reaches out

By Lisa Wangsness

Each December, Highrock Church puts on a huge Christmas concert and gives all the money — $15,000 this year — to the town of Arlington.

Leaving on time takes on fresh urgency for airlines

By Katie Johnston

With the margin between profits and losses so thin in the postrecession economy, many airlines are paying more attention to punctuality.

Lawyer fights for low-wage workers’ rights

By Katie Johnston

Shannon Liss-Riordan and her firm have won tens of millions of dollars for workers who claim to have been wronged by their employers.

Innovation Economy

Funding through KickStarter can be tricky

By Scott Kirsner

Successfully raising money on the site is a bit like having friends front your registration fee for the Boston Marathon: It doesn’t exactly get you across the finish line.

Christopher L. Gasper

Jaguars are no threat to the Patriots

By Christopher L. Gasper

Thirty-first in the NFL in total offense and 31st in total defense, the hapless 2-12 Jaguars are what their record says they are.

Jaguars coach connected with Patriots’ Brandon Lloyd

By Michael Whitmer

Lloyd and current Jaguars receivers coach Jerry Sullivan spent just 16 games together in 2005, but a special, lasting bond was established.

Steve Addazio always wanted to land at BC

By Julian Benbow

After leading Temple to its first bowl win in 32 years, Steve Addazio is now working his dream job as head coach of Boston College’s football team.

Free legal advice—but does it work?

By Leon Neyfakh

How do you improve America’s resource-poor network of legal services? Harvard professor James Greiner believes you have to put it to the test.

I saw paranormal Santa Claus

By Chris Wright

Aliens, sure. But the jolly bearded guy? Researchers survey evidence of mysterious sightings.

Q&A

Did an invisible run on banks kill the economy?

By Ben Shreckinger

The problem behind the financial crisis was not what we think, says Gary Gorton.

Books

Untraditional reading, kind of for the holidays

By Brock Clarke

A series of lists that perversely exclude the most beloved Christmas books of all time and instead include several narratives that aren’t about Christmas at all.

Bibliophiles

Tony Bennett: Singer and on-the-road reader

By Amy Sutherland

Tony Bennett’s new memoir, “Life is a Gift,” explains some of why the crooner is as positive and down-to-earth as he is talented.

Book Reivew

‘La Folie Baudelaire’ By Roberto Calasso

By Richard Eder

This exploration of Charles Baudelaire, constructed largely of quotes, blends biographical detail and criticism.

Louise Schofield, 92; teacher and inspiration

By Gloria Negri

Mrs. Schofield taught mathematics in high school and junior high classrooms in Quincy for nearly four decades.

Mary Griggs Burke, 96; held large Japanese art collection

By Margalit Fox

Mrs. Burke amassed the most comprehensive private collection of ­Japanese art outside ­Japan with a meticulousness, deliberation, and incisive eye.

Peter Struck, at 69; served as German defense minister

By Juergen Baetz

Mr. Struck served as Germany’s defense minister from 2002 to 2005 and was a vehement opponent of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.

Tom Rush celebrates 50 years with a return to Symphony Hall

By James Reed

On Friday, Rush will resurrect his fabled run of 1980s shows with a return to Symphony Hall, capping a year that celebrated his 50th anniversary as a performer.

Books

Untraditional reading, kind of for the holidays

By Brock Clarke

A series of lists that perversely exclude the most beloved Christmas books of all time and instead include several narratives that aren’t about Christmas at all.

Bibliophiles

Tony Bennett: Singer and on-the-road reader

By Amy Sutherland

Tony Bennett’s new memoir, “Life is a Gift,” explains some of why the crooner is as positive and down-to-earth as he is talented.

An escape to the volcanoes and ancient ruins of Guatemala

By Katie Johnston

Getting swept up in the wonder of a land of spewing volcanoes, rumbling earthquakes, and vanished civilizations allows everyday worries to fade into the background.

Covering a campaign with coffee tastings along the way

By Matt Viser

A self-professed coffee snob seeks out the best in coffee culture while on the campaign trail covering the presidential election.

Here, There, and Everywhere

Winter Waterland to unique experinces

Visit Mystic Aquarium’s Winter Waterland (Dec. 27-Jan.1, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.), a celebration of the season with festive decorations that reflect the native habitats of the aquarium’s animals.

2012 Bostonians of the Year

Bostonians of the Year: Raisman and Harrison

By Neil Swidey

At the Summer Games, US women snared more gold medals than the entire squads of all but two countries. Leading the way were two of our own, Aly Raisman and Kayla Harrison, who continue to inspire.

2012 Bostonians of the Year Honorable Mention

Joe O’Donnell made a small but significant cystic fibrosis victory possible

By Brian McGrory

With his Joey Fund and his experiment in venture philanthropy, the father kept his late son’s memory alive.

2012 Bostonians of the Year Honorable Mention

Katie Rae nurtures Boston’s entrepreneurs

By Scott Kirsner

In the two years since she took over TechStars Boston, 44-year-old Katie Rae has become the high-profile ringmaster of Boston’s start-up circus.

Christmas Eve parade gets Lynn’s cheery motor running

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald

Every Christmas Eve for 26 years now, working­-class Lynn’s star shines bright as it throws a grand homemade parade.

Lynn lights up on Christmas Eve.

Details of the 4 1/2 hour, 23-mile parade through the streets of Lynn on Christmas Eve.

Volunteers help keep Flying Santa aloft

By Kathy Shiels Tully

A tradition kept aloft by volunteers, Flying Santa delivered Christmas cheer to Coast Guard stations and lighthouses.

Some families go all-out on holiday light displays

By Emily Files

Sparkling lights decorate houses everywhere this holiday season, but there are some displays that are noticeably more elaborate than others.

Braintree family’s display draws viewers, who get candy canes, too

Holiday lights display at 17 Morrison St., Braintree

‘Walkhill Wonderland’ in Norwood gets bigger every year

Holiday lights dusplay at 1 Walkhill Road, Norwood

Single mother fears sliding back into homelessness

By Kathleen Burge

After months at a hotel for the homeless, a mother and her children keep a tenuous grip on an apartment of their own.

Waltham hotel is their only refuge against homelessness

By Kathleen Burge

Ninety-six homeless families, with 154 children among them, will wake up Christmas morning at the Home Suites Inn in Waltham.

By Lisa Kocian

Medfield will see a 92-unit affordable housing complex built along West Street, after a town board approved the controversial project with conditions.