WASHINGTON (CNS) — A special Mass Dec. 5 and an exhibit at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington celebrated the winners of the annual Christmas artwork contest sponsored by the Missionary Childhood Association.

An agency of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the association asks children in the nation’s elementary schools and parish religious education programs and those who are home-schooled to submit their artwork to illustrate “The Nativity & Mission.” They can illustrate the Christmas story using images of shepherds and angels, the Three Kings and the Holy Family, the animals present by the manger and the Infant Jesus.

Each year, 24 winners are chosen and their works of art are featured as e-greetings on the main Missionary Childhood Association’s website – www.MCAKids.org. The artwork remains on display through Jan. 6.

The 2014 winners are from the archdioceses of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Philadelphia; and the dioceses of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Metuchen, N.J.; Harrisburg, Pa.; Arlington, Va.; Springfield, Ill.; Venice, Fla.; and Wichita, Kan.