II. Appearance
O Architect of the stars
(brightness blazoned
as if strewn),
you, who ranged
the constellations
to disclose yourself enfleshed,
appointing one most lucid witness
to that Majesty—
so clear that magi, seeing it,
bent low
over their offerings,
murmuring admiration—
Just so, I bow
in gratitude
over the altar
in my heart,
rendering
praise
and begging . . .
Star of Justice,
please bestow
this gift:
astral perspective.
To see the mighty unseated
and the lowly lifted up;
to mark the Treasure
in a manger;
to manifest
in my own essence
your bright design.
—Mia Schilling Grogan
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.
