Today’s Briefing

Our favorite recent Christmas pieces:

From Philip Yancey: Christmas was always God’s plan.

The Incarnation sheds light on astrophysics.

A baby’s tears at Christmas.

People always ruin Christmas.

Cozy up with the 12 neglected movies of the season.

Behind the Story

From international editor Angela Lu Fulton: I started listening to Christmas music early this year (pre-Thanksgiving!), as I felt it unfair that we get to listen to some of the most joyful, endearing, theologically rich songs only one month of the year. While I have some of the classics on rotation, I also love finding new adaptations of Christmas songs. Music correspondent Kelsey Kramer McGinnis has written Christmas music roundups for CT the past few years, so while you’re opening presents this morning, cooking a Christmas feast, or just relaxing with family and friends, check out the best Christmas music from 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022. You can find our Spotify playlists of the songs mentioned here.

Merry Christmas from all of us at CT!

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Today in Christian History

December 25, 1066: William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, was crowned king of England at Westminster Abbey, officially recognizing his rule and the success of the Norman Conquest of England.

What They Seem

There was a bike under the tree. That’s what Dad said, anyway. But I didn’t see a thing, and I’m pretty sure I had 20/20 vision at 10 years old.…

“Christian First, and Santa Next”

Like many men who retire in their 60s, Bill Beachy grew out his beard, which was fading to white. He spent more time with his grandkids. One day, his daughter…

Immigrants Welcome in Thomas Kinkade Paintings

The family foundation of the late Thomas Kinkade demanded that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stop posting his art on social media. According to the family, the government agency…

A Rhythm of Silence and Solitude

Silent night, holy night. Austrian priest Joseph Mohr wrote these words in 1816, starting off my favorite—and one of the most ubiquitous—Christmas hymns. Some of my affection for the song…

in the magazine

As we enter the holiday season, we consider how the places to which we belong shape us—and how we can be the face of welcome in a broken world. In this issue, you’ll read about how a monastery on Patmos offers quiet in a world of noise and, from Ann Voskamp, how God’s will is a place to find home. Read about modern missions terminology in our roundtable feature and about an astrophysicist’s thoughts on the Incarnation. Be sure to linger over Andy Olsen’s reported feature “An American Deportation” as we consider Christian responses to immigration policies. May we practice hospitality wherever we find ourselves.

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