by Emma McCoy | Poetry | Every Wednesday in the living room, despite the tremors and riot-noise of the week, we come to communion. How it all started, around the table. After a meal.

John Mitchell | Poetry | The Shepherds tending Their flocks at night Saw it first: The heavenly host, heralding. Today, they’d be a viral sensation. A few would leave their herds.

by Julie Sumner | Poetry | Merry as in Christmas. Merry, that kissing cousin to another word, mirth, a mouthful of laughter tumbling into the world like a thousand rosy-gummed babies. Gracious One, I thank you for your merry band of holy fools. For the mullet-crowned man who slapped

by Sister Egeria Mark | Poetry | One year I heard an Advent sermon about braving the dark abyss of the unknown. I, three toes into that particular abyss and sinking fast, took comfort in the notion that my painful and untidy circumstance

by Emma McCoy | Poetry | Work starts early before the heat comes, the sky bruise-blue as he stretches his legs. When he puts on his hardhat, yesterday’s sweat greets him, salty, cool, familiar.

by Rachel Ann Russell  | Poetry | After, it was such a grand celebration: dancing, singing, campfires, and Moses and Miriam standing tall while outside the celebration, in the darkness, nothing.

by Rachel Ann Russell  | Poetry | Couldn’t move my arms or legs. Couldn’t wipe the sweat stinging my eyes. We were at the door of the furnace, and I was praying “Oh Lord my God, King of the Universe, the Lord is One”

by Sarah Eshleman  | Poetry | We asked for seats by the fire Where we watch other diners—bellies taut with meatloaf, potatoes, and biscuits slicked with strawberry jam—Pause for one last helping of comfort.

By Sophia Conway | Essay | I stumbled across haiku during a season of struggling with grief, mental health, and a difficult pregnancy. I can’t remember how I initially encountered haiku and the books that inspired me to begin writing my own, but I recall these micro poems as one of many lifelines thrown to me during my months spent curled up on the couch or in bed.