Anita Peebles notes that we all might never truly be ready for Advent, no matter what year it is. But she argues that we need a reminder every year that time, like life, like matter, like energy, is a cycle—that human systems of domination can
In day 16 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, David Gushee reflects on Isaiah 29:17-21 and its word for today after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
The newest album by The Porter’s Gate is a far cry from the peppy “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”-type Christmas tunes. Drawing heavily from biblical Scriptures and written with congregational worship in mind, Advent Songs is meant as a hope-filled response to 2021’s weighty realities.
In day 15 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Contributing Writer Rodney Kennedy reflects on the theology of a new ad from Caesars Sportsbook and the clash between “Caesar is Lord!” and “Jesus is Lord!”
In day 14 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Angela Parker reflects the conflicting ancient treatment of literal shepherds and the use of she shepherd metaphor to describe rulers.
Many people don’t know the stories behind their favorite Christmas carols. That’s where ‘Hark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols’ comes in, a new podcast that explores the meaning and making of some of the best-known and most-loved Christmas carols.
In day 13 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Brad Lyons reflects on the story of the Murder of the Innocents and how its message resonates with our world today.
Fewer than half of churchgoers say their clergy (44%) have spoken about vaccines. One exception: historically Black churches, where two-thirds of churchgoers say pastors have encouraged their people to get vaccines. And some have even led their churches to set up on-site vaccine clinics.
Lauren Graeber explores how a lullaby about stars that were actually shuttered openings to heaven has influenced how she understands what it means to believe in angels. Complicating things, the Advent season comes with helping children make sense of the most famous angel story in
This edition of A Public Witness unpacks troubling examples of when a person’s religious identity became grounds for others to question their fitness for public office.