(As in the movies, when the traffic swerves
and skids to miss the hero in its way . . .)
He toddled through the cars as if to play
a game of chicken with his mother’s nerves.
She wept to see him standing there, across
the other side, her perfect smiling boy.
All rosy-cheeked with death-defying joy;
An icon of her momentary loss.
It wasn’t quite a miracle. Not quite,
but close. Not Lazarus, or snake and rod.
Not water into wine, but who’s to say?
She held him up just like an acolyte
would lift a cup, commending him to God,
beholding him like Jesus, born today.
—David Condell
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.
