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Giotto’s Epiphany

From the January 2011 Print Edition

Who before Giotto thought to remove the king’s crown— this first from the earth’s kingdoms come to worship. Giotto paints Him shrouded, the swaddled solemn babe, dressed for His burial— getting right to the point. And they were the best kings could offer, these tokens for the One who came . . . . Continue Reading »

Top Ten Secular Christmas Songs

From First Thoughts

And now for some staff selections in a more secular vein: All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love I’ll be Home for Christmas - Frank Sinatra Who Took . . . . Continue Reading »

Top Ten Sacred Christmas Songs

From First Thoughts

The music of Christmas is rich in tradition and powerful in its appeal. We did a little in-house poll, and these emerged as the staff favorites: O Magnum Mysterium Weihnachtsleid Good Christian Men Rejoice Listen online here . O Come All Ye Faithful For Unto Us a Child is Born See Amid the . . . . Continue Reading »

A Poet Haunted by Brokenness

From Web Exclusives

Brokenness haunts the pages of Kathleen Graber’s new collection of poems, The Eternal City, chosen by Paul Muldoon to re-introduce the distinguished Princeton Series of Contemporary Poets. An award-winning poet who teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University, Graber has drawn her poetic inspiration from … Continue Reading »

Poetry Reading by Christian Wiman

From First Thoughts

First Things is pleased to announce our next event : renowned poet Christian Wiman will be giving a reading here at our editorial offices in Manhattan on October 29, at 6 p.m. Wiman is editor of Poetry magazine. His most recent collection, Every Riven Thing , is just out from Farrar Straus Giroux . . . . Continue Reading »

God and Dogs

From First Thoughts

When I was training my golden retriever, one command I impressed upon him above all others:  the essential “come!” command. That no matter what the circumstances, no matter how enticing a particular plant, person, or fellow canine might appear to be, when I gave the command to . . . . Continue Reading »