The Poetry of Christmas

by Dan Hitchens

Throughout history, Christmas has inspired poems from believers and atheists alike. Continue Reading »

25 Dec 2017

The Tragedy and Scandal of Cardinal Law

by Philip Lawler

The death of Cardinal Bernard Law prompts us to ask an old question: Why do good people do bad things?  Continue Reading »

21 Dec 2017

Melodies for Advent

by Ramona Tausz

The members of the First Things staff offer a collection of Advent hymns and carols for the final days of this penitential season.  Continue Reading »

20 Dec 2017

The Crèche and the Gap

by George Weigel

“Mind the gap”—the ubiquitous instruction found on the London Underground—is also an accurate description of the drama of the Christian life. Continue Reading »

20 Dec 2017

Our Witness to Freedom

by R. R. Reno

In this environment—one of decadence, paralysis, and blind armies clashing by night—First Things matters more than ever. Continue Reading »

16 Dec 2017

What Does It Mean to Say “I Absolve You”?

by Gerhard Ludwig Müller

The sacrament of reconciliation must remain a visible, objective sign of grace—despite those who wish to turn it into a mere subjective reality. Continue Reading »

15 Dec 2017

Word Made Flesh

by Peter J. Leithart

This is the good news of Advent: The Word who became flesh dwells in your flesh and speaks himself there, among your ruins. Continue Reading »

15 Dec 2017

No God but Santa

by Ulrich L. Lehner

Is “nice” ever an attribute we can or should use for God? Continue Reading »

15 Dec 2017

The Little Eschaton

by Francesca Aran Murphy

Even in a churchless family, the build-up of present-buying leading to Christmas can bear a wealth of eschatological meaning.  Continue Reading »

14 Dec 2017

Luther’s Purgatory

by Christopher Jackson

Protestantism will be purified only insofar as she is willing to contend conservatively for the faith once delivered to the saints.  Continue Reading »

12 Dec 2017