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New Boston archbishop draws hope from carols in first Christmas Day Mass
Boston’s newly installed Archbishop Richard Henning led Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End.

Pope calls for peace on Christmas as church begins Jubilee year celebrations

Pilgrims traverse Vatican Holy Door as Christmas marks the start of the 2025 Holy Year

For some interfaith families, a special holiday season as Hanukkah and Christmas overlap
For the first time in almost 20 years, the beginning of Hanukkah falls on Christmas Day, a rare quirk that has occurred only four times since 1900.

South Boston woman arrested for allegedly nabbing holiday packages from porches

Kerri Flynn, 34, is expected to be arraigned in the South Boston Division of Boston Municipal Court on charges of larceny from a building, Boston police said in a statement.

Health experts brace for misery as infections climb, vaccinations drop, and holiday gatherings begin

Massachusetts has moderate rates of influenza and high rates of COVID in waste water, according to CDC data.

In wake of Covid, a mobile barbershop makes waves
The Clippership has traveled around the metro area since 2020. It specializes in men’s fades and straight razor shaves.

Two dead after fire breaks out at Acushnet home early Christmas morning

Hundreds of Mass. police officers finished online training too quickly, state agency says

Azerbaijani airliner crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38 with 29 survivors, officials say

‘We enjoy being part of everybody’s special day’: From Logan to the ICU, here’s who is working Boston’s Christmas shift

Thousands of workers across Boston clocked in on Christmas Day to help keep the city moving — from the airport terminals to hospital wards to homeless shelters serving Boston’s most needy.

See colorful photos of holiday celebrations from around the world

10 hidden gem TV shows worth binge watching this holiday season

On four acres left centuries ago to ‘the poor,’ Milton fights another battle over housing
The town Select Board has hit the brakes on plans to put 35 affordable apartments on the final undeveloped acres of the town's farm, once a refuge for the homeless.

How do you define old? A push to mine wisdom, ease isolation among young and old

At a time when the world seems riven by differences, initiatives to connect young and old are gaining ground.

‘We’re complete again’: Facing potential deportation for months, a Malden father of 6 makes it home for the holidays

Since July, Vibol Thou, a literal man without a country who holds no citizenship of any state but has lived in New England for decades, had been in the custody of immigration authorities who were trying to deport him.
Charitable exchange brings home active-duty military members for holidays

Community supports Topsfield family after their home burns before Christmas: ‘Such a rallying cry from so many people’

“At a point when we thought we have lost everything, we’ve now realized that we have absolutely everything,” Adam Harlor said Tuesday. “We don’t have the words.”
A son’s early Christmas gift to his father: Time — and a kidney
LOVE LETTERS

I want to treat my partner while they’re unemployed, but they dislike it

I want them to feel appreciated, not guilty.

Patriots mailbag: How will they entice any significant upgrades this offseason?

The simple truth is Robert Kraft and Eliot Wolf will have to open up their checkbook and overpay to compete in free agency.
TV CRITIC'S CORNER

Looking back at ‘Dont Look Back’

An early look at Bob Dylan is available to stream for free over the holidays.

The Globe podcast

‘Universities are the enemy.’ Final episode of ‘The Harvard Plan’ examines the growing distrust of higher education.

Episode three explores the deep history of Harvard and the distinctly American idea of “diversity.”
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Opinion
IDEAS | BRIAN BERGSTEIN

A change that would break baseball

The sport has benefited from tweaks over the years. But allowing a ‘Golden’ pinch hitter once per game would make it ridiculous.
JEFF JACOBY

Merry Christmas! Happy holidays! (Both are fine.)

EDITORIAL

The smearing of Adeel Mangi was the perfect storm of hate and cowardice

Andrea Joy Campbell

Frank Bellotti gave us a blueprint for the next generation

Nancy Gertner

How a US citizen nearly faced deportation

Globe Santa

A thank you note from Globe Santa
Donations are still coming in, but Globe Santa is thrilled to report a spectacular year, with 7,500 donors to the campaign, so far.

Donate to Globe Santa
The best (and worst) of 2024

The 75 best books of 2024

The top 10 TV shows of 2024, according to Globe critics

Odie Henderson’s 10 best movies of 2024 (and 10 runners-up)

Odie Henderson’s 10 worst movies of the year

More recent News

Russia targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure on Christmas Day
In Russia, meanwhile, one woman died and three people were wounded after falling debris from a downed drone sparked a fire in a shopping mall in the city of Vladikavkaz.

In New Mexico, a Democratic governor wants to get tough on crime
Even as crime declines across the United States and fatal overdoses decrease, the violent crime rate in New Mexico was twice the national average in 2023.

Dead body found in wheel well of United plane from Chicago to Maui
Police are investigating the discovery of a dead body in the wheel well of a United Airlines plane after it landed in Maui, Hawaii, on Tuesday.

An Israeli soldier who died 417 days after his Oct. 7 wounds has become a symbol of sacrifice
The dual Israeli-American citizen has come to symbolize the sacrifice by hundreds of fallen soldiers in what many in Israel see as a war for the country's survival.

20 big cats die from bird flu at a Washington sanctuary
Cats are particularly vulnerable to avian influenza. The dead included a half-Bengal tiger.

Red Sox still waiting to hear if they will get a meeting with Japanese star Roki Sasaki
The 23-year-old Japanese righthander has either held or scheduled meetings with a handful of teams, but, as of Tuesday, Boston was on the outside looking in.

Recommended reads

Arcades are making a comeback in Greater Boston. Here’s why.

From a 300-square-foot storefront in Somerville to a former pizza place in Taunton, a spate of electronic playgrounds have opened their doors across Greater Boston since the pandemic.

‘Remarkable’ refugee resettlement program gave many safe haven in Mass. Now it may be on Trump’s chopping block.
The United States Refugee Admissions Program has been a lifeline for millions of people since 1980. But it’s not clear how much longer the US will continue to admit refugees.

As House Democrats topple senior leaders, Richard Neal, 75, retains his powerful post
The push for generational change didn’t come close to reaching the Springfield Democrat, allowing him to retain his perch as the top Democrat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

A leader in trans health has become a critic of the field she helped shape. In a Q&A, she explains why.
Amy Tishelman, the former research director of the gender clinic at Boston Children’s Hospital, spoke with the Globe after winning a lawsuit against the hospital.

Culture & Lifestyle

Billerica couple says ‘I do’ at the House of Blues

What to see on Broadway if you’re heading to New York

Sarah Hyland is the latest TV star going from screen to stage

‘The Fire Inside’ poses powerful questions about sports and the meaning of success

Special Projects

Broken Promises, Unfulfilled Hope

The Boston Globe explores the legacy of Boston’s busing era.

A Globe Spotlight Team report on Steward Health Care

A Boston Globe Spotlight Team review found the Steward Health Care hospital system plagued by staggering neglect at the hands of executives.

The Boston Globe’s Best of the Best

Our ultimate guide to more than 200 winners for Boston's best food, drinks, and fun things to do.

Nightmare in Mission Hill

The story of how a murder in Mission Hill — the Carol Stuart shooting — terrorized and wounded a community of innocent people.

Opinion, ideas, and commentary

EDITORIAL

Who voted for Elon Musk?

MARCELA GARCÍA

Another Latina has gone missing in East Boston. Will police do better this time?

JOAN VENNOCHI

‘Tis the season of good will, but not for immigrants

ALAN WIRZBICKI

Finding more money in the state budget for transportation

Roland Merullo

On giving and not giving

IDEAS | CARINE HAJJAR

Lebanon’s biggest problem is not Israel

Metro

In wake of Covid, a mobile barbershop makes waves

The Clippership has traveled around the metro area since 2020. It specializes in men’s fades and straight razor shaves.

‘We enjoy being part of everybody’s special day’: From Logan to the ICU, here’s who is working Boston’s Christmas shift

Thousands of workers across Boston clocked in on Christmas Day to help keep the city moving — from the airport terminals to hospital wards to homeless shelters serving Boston’s most needy.

New Boston archbishop draws hope from carols in first Christmas Day Mass

Boston’s newly installed Archbishop Richard Henning led Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End.

Two dead after fire breaks out at Acushnet home early Christmas morning

Firefighters arrived to “heavy smoke and flames” and began searching for three people who were unaccounted for in the two-and-a-half story residence

Sports

Bruins

An improving Bruins defense under Joe Sacco delivered a masterclass against the Capitals

Boston held Washington's high-powered offense to 11 shots on goal in a 4-1 win
BEN VOLIN | ON FOOTBALL

Despite struggles this year, the Chiefs once again control the road to the Super Bowl

Wednesday’s Christmas Day win over the Steelers, 29-10, improved the Chiefs to 15-1 and locked up the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, giving the Chiefs the only bye in the AFC, plus home-field advantage.
TIMBERWOLVES 105, MAVERICKS 99

Anthony Edwards scores 26, Timberwolves hold on to beat Mavericks after Luka Doncic injury

A rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals won by Dallas fell flat when Doncic pulled up lame late in the second quarter.
KNICKS 117, SPURS 114

Mikal Bridges scores season-high 41, Knicks withstand Wemby’s monster Christmas debut to edge Spurs

CHIEFS 29, STEELERS 10

Patrick Mahomes throws three TDs, Chiefs smash Steelers to again clinch AFC’s top seed

76ers at Celtics | 5 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

76ers at Celtics preview: Boston hosts Philadelphia for Christmas showdown

Business

talking points

Bath & Body Works needs holiday shoppers. Do new scents draw them in?

Stories you may have missed from the world of business.

Will Trump cut short the Biden clean-energy boom? Investors are nervous.

Clean investment — including renewable energy as well as the manufacturing of electric vehicles, batteries, and solar panels — has boomed since the passage of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

On four acres left centuries ago to ‘the poor,’ Milton fights another battle over housing

talking points

Elon Musk is creating his own Texas town. Hundreds already live there.

magazine
Secrets & Lies | Chapter 1

Sandra Birchmore put her trust in the police. They broke it.

CONNECTIONS

My Uncle Jimmy outdid himself as our very own Santa some six decades ago

Cooking

Babka? Macaroons? Here are some sweet treats you can bake for Hanukkah.

PERSPECTIVE

Over half of Americans are lonely. In Maine, potluck dinners are helping.

metro

How do you define old? A push to mine wisdom, ease isolation among young and old

Many wake up to a white Christmas with mostly calm conditions throughout New England

Archbishop Richard Henning to attend Christmas Eve service in Franklin, where arson fire was set in St. Mary’s Church

sports

Patriots mailbag: How will they entice any significant upgrades this offseason?

Girls’ hockey notebook: Meet Emma Doucette, the sixth-grade sensation starring for St. Mary’s

Globe Top 20 girls’ hockey poll: A co-op cracks the Top 5 and two teams enter rankings

business

Women’s Lunch Place nonprofit receives first $1 million donation from an individual

At Logan, heavy travel day gets off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights

Former Hasbro CEO’s Beverly Hills home lists for $27 million. See photos.

politics

Bill Clinton is out of the hospital after being treated for the flu

Trump’s election sparks fight over judicial retirements, new judgeships

Who controls Greenland, and why does Trump want to buy it?

Nation

Realignment or not, we’re in a new era of American politics

Will Trump cut short the Biden clean-energy boom? Investors are nervous.

In New Mexico, a Democratic governor wants to get tough on crime

World

See colorful photos of holiday celebrations from around the world

Syria’s new leaders try to unite rebel factions under a single government

Pope calls for peace on Christmas as church begins Jubilee year celebrations

opinion

How to turn holiday dinners into restaurant-worthy experiences

On giving and not giving

Shutdown turmoil may be the shape of things to come under Trump 2.0

lifestyle

Magic and lights draw crowds to an alpine village in Washington state for Christmas

Billerica couple says ‘I do’ at the House of Blues

He has to work for another 10 years

food & dining

Start the year off right with recipes for a Mediterranean-inspired brunch

Where to eat alone when you’re burnt out from the holidays

Goat milk caramels from Vermont are adorably packaged and make great hostess gifts

travel

The best New England ski resort for you

Everything is a little bit elevated at Dar Rafiki’s, the Haverhill bakery that people can’t stop raving about

How a government shutdown could affect your travel plans

Arts

For 93-year-old Boston painter and sculptor Jo Sandman, living the life of an artist ‘my destiny’

Video game designer finds ‘Sweet Spot’ through Boston Public Art Triennial Accelerator program

Lorraine O’Grady, trailblazing conceptual artist who critiqued the arts establishment, dies at 90

Books

In ‘Giant Love,’ a look at Edna Ferber and the Texas world she imagined

Barack Obama’s 2024 list of favorite books includes a Boston-born author

Local bestsellers for the week ended Dec. 15

Movies

‘Babygirl’ can’t quite work out its kinks

‘The Fire Inside’ poses powerful questions about sports and the meaning of success

There’s not much at stake in ‘Nosferatu’

Television

Looking back at ‘Dont Look Back’

Sarah Hyland is the latest TV star going from screen to stage

10 hidden gem TV shows worth binge watching this holiday season

music

Ring in the New Year with Bernadette Peters and the Pops

Barack Obama’s 2024 list of favorite books includes a Boston-born author

Michael Brewer, whose ‘One Toke’ was a big hit, is dead at 80

Theater/Dance

What to see on Broadway if you’re heading to New York

Ayodele Casel’s ‘Diary of a Tap Dancer’ at the ART writes forgotten women into the art form’s story

‘Selkie Girl’ may have a slim plot, but the show’s music makes up for it

Health

About 30% of women are reinfected with a UTI within a year. This R.I. professor is looking for a way to change that.

Why is Lifespan buying hospitals in Massachusetts instead of saving two in Rhode Island?

R.I. Life Science Hub still in negotiations to develop lab incubator space: ‘In the business world... things moved a lot faster’

Obituaries

Yoshio Taniguchi, architect for MoMA’s expansion, dies at 87

Rickey Henderson, baseball’s greatest-ever base stealer, dies at 65

Michael Brewer, whose ‘One Toke’ was a big hit, is dead at 80