“And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn
apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.”
–Gospel of Mark 1: 10 (NRSV)
“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
–Gospel of Matthew 28: 20b (NRSV)
To see you, child, to gaze into your face,
Is to discern more than yourself alone.
For you are gift to us, oh, little one,
Come from the Father of all life and grace.
Here once again we’re called in faith to love,
Drawn to the mystery of this two-fold birth,
The one from heaven and the one of earth:
The one below made whole by that above.
As we renew our vows in this same place,
We sense once more the Holy Spirit move—
Eyes raised to see the white, descending dove.
And you are born again, Savannah Grace.
Here, now—as then—He comes to bring us aid:
This is the promise that the Lord has made.
—Thomas H. Hubert
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.
