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Fear – and Hope – in Europe’s Christmas Markets, by Michele McAloon – Brown Pelican Society of Lousiana

Fear – and Hope – in Europe’s Christmas Markets, by Michele McAloon

Mail-Order Drug Abortions Up 40% Under Biden-Era FDA Rule, by Anna Callahan
December 13, 2025
Founder’s Quote
December 13, 2025
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The Strasbourg Christmas Market. Marche-Noel-Strasbourg-Sapin. Source: "Enjoy Strasbourg".

By Michele McAloon,  The Catholic Thing, December 13, 2025

Michele McAloon lives in Europe. She is a canon lawyer and host of the podcast Crossword. Her work can be found at Book Clues.

Friends: Today is the last day of our end-of-year fundraising campaign. We’ll be happy to accept your donation anytime, of course. But why wait? We’re already working at plans for the shape of TCT, new courses, our other educational campaigns, podcasts, Posses, videos, and much more. We’d like to be able to have a full picture of the resources we’ll have in 2026. So now’s the time to join in and become part of the process by which we reach out into the Church and the world. Giving NOW makes your contribution even more valuable. And it’s tax deductible, And. . .enough. You get the point. Click the button. Write the check. Sign up for a one time donation, monthly, quarterly, annual. But just do it. Please. Today. – Robert Royal

Advent in Germany is brightened by its world-famous Christmas markets. The smell of grilled sausage, Germany’s famous mulled gluhwein, and gingerbread (Lebkuchen) blend together under multicolored  lights creating a cheerful experience in anticipation of Christ’s birth. Whether it is a two-day affair at a local monastery or the town fire station, or one of the huge metropolitan markets in Munich, Berlin, or Dresden, Christmas markets, now, as in centuries past, are an integral part of the economic and social fabric of Germany, and a potential sign of hope. Though they are also currently threatened by dark shadows.

Tragically, in the past ten years, festivities have been marred by violence.  Terrorists have murdered market-goers in  Magdeburg, Trier, Berlin and in several markets in France. German and French authorities have now been forced to take measures to prevent these threats almost everywhere.

Today, pedestrian zones typically have a hard barrier to prevent the ramming of automobiles into crowds.  In many markets, entrance is strictly controlled with bag and body searches. Unusually for Germany, where police are rarely seen in everyday life, there is a heavy police presence, and surveillance cameras watching over every corner of the markets. …

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