On the first Christmas, a bright star pierced the dark sky to lead wise men to a poor homeless family, including a newborn, with whom they shared their gifts. The Christmas star was a sign of hope.

GREENFIELD — Hope Week was appropriately named. As hundreds of members of Realife Church participated in countless community service projects across Hancock County this week, there was plenty of hope.

As the celebration of Christ's birth draws near, the traditional Christmas tree lighting in various places, including Bethlehem and the Vatican, is meant as a sign of joyful expectation for the coming ...