Unsettling Advent, Day 26
In day 26 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Voices Editor Jeremy Fuzy reflects on canceled Christmas plans due to Omicron and the teaching to love your neighbor as yourself.
Unsettling Advent, Day 25
In day 25 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Lauren Graeber reflects on how angels always seem to say “do not be afraid” as soon as they show up, and what we can learn about fear and hope from the stories.
Forgetting the War on Christmas
Contributing writer Rodney Kennedy argues that the "War on Christmas" is an imaginary moment. He implores us to forego all this whining and unleash a magnificent supply of Christmas practices that bear witness to the presence of Jesus.
Make Worship Great Again
In this issue of A Public Witness, we attend First Baptist’s “special” Christmas service to detail the clash of liturgies. We give special attention to the inherent political implications of Jesus’s birth. As a benediction, we reflect on the damage moments like this do to the
Unsettling Advent, Day 24
In day 24 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Contributing Writer Terrell Carter reflects on the saying “familiarity breeds contempt” and the warning that brings us for Advent.
Unsettling Advent, Day 23
In day 23 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Sophie Day reflects on the message of Advent in light of her work to tell the stories of individuals who have been sentenced to death and are in their last stages of appeals.
Across U.S., Houses of Worship Struggle to Rebuild Attendance
Polls shows how dramatically church attendance fell during the worst of the pandemic last year, even as many say they are now returning to regular service attendance. Churches large and small have taken hits in attendance.
Unsettling Advent, Day 22
In day 22 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Contributing Writer Greg Mamula reflects on how we can join the psalmists, prophets, Elizabeth, and Mary in knowing what Advent knows.
Unsettling Advent, Day 21
In day 21 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Joy Martinez-Marshall reflects on the flight of the holy family in the Bible and the plight of refugees and immigrants today.
‘Mary Did You Know’ Writer Mark Lowry Good-Natured Over Song’s Controversy
For Mark Lowry, almost every day is Christmas. Whenever the storyteller and singer takes the stage for a concert, he always closes the show with the same song — “Mary Did You Know?” — no matter what time of year it is.