Support First Things by turning your adblocker off or by making a  donation. Thanks!

Elk calf, first five minutes on four legs, the shimmy and wobble of her.
The undeniable inarguable adamant lurid smell of a smashed pumpkin.
Two basketball players helping up a fallen teammate, the braided grips.
The infant Vaux’s swift that rocketed out of the fireplace one evening.
The way my son after an argument later brushes my neck with his hand.

Dear Reader,

We launched the First Things 2023 Year-End Campaign to keep articles like the one you just read free of charge to everyone.

Measured in dollars and cents, this doesn't make sense. But consider who is able to read First Things: pastors and priests, college students and professors, young professionals and families. Last year, we had more than three million unique readers on firstthings.com.

Informing and inspiring these people is why First Things doesn't only think in terms of dollars and cents. And it's why we urgently need your year-end support.

Will you give today?

Make My Gift