Consider the fierce stone features of its face
a vaccination of demonic strain,
a backfire lit on purpose to contain
hell’s wildfire outside this glade of grace.
For if the tale is true, it’s put in place
to scare the scarer”a sort of devil’s bane
that guards the Lord Christ’s castle and domain,
protecting teaching seat and sacred space.
But subtler, more clever than that tale,
the architect who realized that the course
of rain from roof to street below could flow
through mocking masks avenged the first betrayal:
Making downspouts of demons, he would force
Satan to carry water for his Foe.
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
