The tang of juniper, the dew-wet grass
That grabs your ankles, apples for the taking.
The haze between the hills like smoke at Mass.
The trees; His stretched arms aching.
The flickering lamps, the fire, the curtains shut.
We’ll watch TV, we’ll get the breakfast baking.
We sleep like snow that’s frozen over but
We’re bleary-eyed in waking.
The beer on the table with the week-old fruit.
The shovelful of rain, the lake ice breaking.
As Advent passes, Christmas follows suit,
And even love needs making.
—Daniel Rattelle
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.
