Merry Christmas to all the young artists who shared their talents in the fourth annual Catholic Times Christmas cover contest. This year, almost 500 entries were submitted to compete for the honor of being the Christmas cover of our diocesan newspaper.  This year's judges once again decreed a tie for first place.

One of our first-place winners is Emily Reid of Gillespie, a fifth-grader who attends St. Michael School in Staunton. Emily's inspiring illustration appears on this week's cover of Catholic Times, our Christmas issue.

The other first-place entry, submitted by Haley Enlow, a fifth-grader from St. Agnes School in Springfield, will be on the cover of Catholic Times for Jan. 4, in celebration of the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Both first-place winners will receive a $25 check from Catholic Times.

The second- through fifth-place winners appear on this page. For our Honorable Mention entries, please visit ct.dio.org.

Again, many thanks to all the young artists who shared their Yuletide spirit with us. Thanks also go to the parents and teachers who helped them.

Merry Christmas to all, from the staff at Catholic Times.

First Place
The first-place winner of the 2008 Catholic Times Christmas cover contest is Emily Reid of Gillespie, a student at St. Michael’s School in Staunton. Emily’s colorful contribution depicts the Babe of Bethlehem with “the whole world in his hands.”
Second Place	Third Place
Samantha Brandenburger • 5th Grade St. Anthony Grade School • Effingham	Michael Donelan • 4th Grade St. Agnes School • Springfield
Fourth Place	Fifth Place
Cecilia Annable • 1st Grade, Age 5 St. Ann‛s Catholic Church • Edgewood	Victoria Ziegler • 2nd Grade St. Agnes School • Springfield
Honorable Mention	Honorable Mention
Alex Spundich • 6th Grade St. Michael's School • Staunton	Abby Zaccari • 4th Grade St. Anthony Grade School • Effingham
Honorable Mention	Honorable Mention
Alise Washko • 5th Grade St. Aloysius Parish and School • Springfield	DuLcenea Scott • 6th Grade Our Lady of Lourdes School • Decatur
Honorable Mention	Honorable Mention
Emily Baker • 6th Grade St. Mary's School • Alton	Rachel Jackson • 6th Grade St. Mary's School • Alton
Honorable Mention
Tom Carderas • 6th Grade St. Mary's School • Alton