B16 on the Historical Date of Christs Birth, Why the Pope is Just a Man, Cardinal Ranjith, and more!

The Best in Catholic Blogging

Pope Benedict XVI: December 25 as the Historical Date of the Christ’s Birth - Dr. Taylor Marshall, Canterbury Tales

Don’t Stop! Christ’s Birthday Celebration Continues - Vanessa Barnes, Gulf Coast Catholic

Why We Celebrate Christmas Greater than the Annunciation? - Fr. Ryan Erlenbush, New Theological Movement

Why I’m Glad the Pope is ‘Just a Man’ - Brandon Vogt, Ignitum Today

Cardinal Ranjith’s Powerful Letter on New Translation - Shawn Tribe, New Liturgical Movement

. . . Fr. John Zuhlsdorf comments on Cardinal Ranjith’s letter here . . .

Is this where Protestantism is Headed in the United States? - The Motley Monk, The American Catholic

Quæritur: Should I Write to the Bishop about Urging Priests to Hear Confessions? - Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, What Does The Prayer Really Say?

“That Your Joy May Be Full” - Fr. James V. Schall SJ, The Catholic Thing

Catholicism and the Bourgeois Mind - Christopher Dawson, Crisis Magazine

Did John Write the Fourth Gospel? - Michael Barber, The Sacred Page

Praising and Pondering (Luke 2:15-21) - Fr. John Bartunek, Catholic Spiritual Direction

An Overlooked But Powerful Reading from the Christmas Cycle - Msgr. Charles Pope, Archdiocese of Washington

Christmas in Bethlehem, Nothing In Gaza - Walter Russell Mead, The American Interest

For the latest round-up on the best punditry in the Catholic blogosphere click on the ThePulp.it.