Weekly Outlook - Our most-read opinions in 2025

Dear readers, I've been thinking a lot about the mystery of dormancy. Here in Ohio, we've entered the season when dead leaves piled on the road become a gray, textured sludge. Even the afternoon sun — when it manages to stream through my office window — seems to be pale. The world around me appears devoid of life, asleep, as we move towards the shortest day of the year. And yet, the mystery of dormancy is that life is always at work. In "Every Riven Thing" poet Christian Wiman instructs readers to "think of the atoms in a stone" — even the most stoic, solid creation hums with movement. Perhaps the gift of winter is a calling to subtly. Perhaps it trains our eyes to see how death and life feed one another. Dormancy calls us to still ourselves — to watch, to wait and to hope. I led my first Blue Christmas service in 2020 as a part of my seminary internship at a Unity Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. December of that year was saturated with loss — lost plans, lonely holidays, the deaths of loved ones. A service designed to hold grief amid the brightness of the season felt necessary. Theologian Barbara Brown Taylor's Learning to Walk in The Dark became a close companion as I helped plan the service.  In the book, Taylor reminds us that darkness is not foreign to God. It is from darkness that God speaks in Genesis. Darkness is the envelop of God's glory. Whether it is a seed in the ground, a baby in the womb or Jesus in the tomb, life comes out of the dark.  This year, I am leading another Blue Christmas service — this time at my home church, Rose Run Presbyterian. And I find myself turning back to Taylor's wisdom. COVID no longer looms as a universal threat, but pain still spreads through our lives like dye in water. I find myself grieving, aching over injustice that shows up alongside us like death itself. And I also long for the dark of winter — for rest that softens what has grown hard, for the falling away that makes room for life. If you are moving through this season with grief, weariness or quiet ache, a Blue Christmas service offers space to tell the truth — without fixing, without pretending. We’ve gathered Blue Christmas liturgies and prayers to support congregations and individuals who need room to lament, breathe and rest in God’s gentle presence. As we approach the shortest day of the year: May you have the eyes to see the atoms dancing within a stone. May you embrace winter's wisdom and let your hard shell melt into fertile soil. May new life  — slow, stubborn and holy — take root in you, in God's good time. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook  P.S. Our Lenten devotional is out! You can preorder "Discipleship in a divided age" today! The full product will be available January 8.

Our most-read opinions of 2025 by the Outlook  The Bondi Beach attack confirms our fears about antisemitism. But it tells another story. by Brad Hirschfield Why church choirs matter more than we realize by Hunter Steinitz Top 10 Presbyterian news stories of 2025 by the Outlook In Chicago, Faith Leaders Reflect on Legacy Supporting Immigrants’ Rights by Stephen Franklin A prayer for courage and hope in the new year by Karie Charlton In case you missed it... Podcast review: “Theology of Hip-Hop” Discover “Theology of Hip-Hop,” a new podcast exploring how artists’ lyrics reveal faith, justice and God’s presence in hip-hop culture. — Dartinia Hull A blessing for the year to come Walter Canter offers a month-by-month prayer for ordinary frustrations, unexpected joys and the sacred reminders. Got a startup with purpose? Apply now for the 2026 Epiphany Grant Funding, coaching, and navigating a dynamic market are all free as part of this unique opportunity. — First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta Learning to pray through breath and music Karie Charlton offers a reflection on embodied faith, music and mindful breathing. A prayer for Advent: Because Christ has come Teri McDowell Ott invites us to rest in Christ’s tender and healing presence in a weary world. Through Jesus, nothing lies beyond redemption. Presbyterians organize to continue international mission sending 17 former mission co-workers have secured arrangements to remain in service or are working toward that goal. — Pat Cole The top Outlook book recommendations of 2025 Discover the titles that most engaged Presbyterian Outlook readers, from theology and memoir to devotionals and cultural commentary.

Pre-order today!  Explore how to live faithfully amid division and uncertainty through Matthew’s Gospel.