Dear friend,

Our Christian Century offices in Chicago are not fancy. Some file cabinets, old desks, and lots of bookshelves occupy the space. Mismatched silverware and dishes fill a cupboard in the small kitchen. Some half-alive or half-dead plants (depending on how you view life) are around, casualties of hybrid work habits from staff who aren’t always on premises.

I should also add there’s no Christmas tree with empty wrapped boxes positioned beneath to give the appearance of presents. We have presents, but they arrive by envelope in the mail and by notification on a computer screen, not in fake boxes. They come from real people like you who make donations to our work. We receive these presents gratefully, knowing that behind them is always the greater gift of a savior who inspires us to give joyously and happily in the first place.

If you want to seize the Christmas moment and bring special joy and happiness to this non-profit publishing ministry called The Christian Century, there is a way to do so today! Thanks to two friends of the Century, whose primary interest this month is getting you excited about your impact as a giver to this magazine, we have a $50,000 challenge match. This couple is willing to match every gift given before December 31, 2024, dollar for dollar, up to their $50,000 challenge total.

This is remarkable. A $250 gift, for example, suddenly becoming $500. Such multiplication is also beautiful. Someone else’s commitment automatically enlarges your generosity.

I hope you’ll respond today! With the end of the calendar year approaching, time is running out to capitalize on this opportunity. Our work as one of the leading religious magazines in America is directly dependent on people like you being generous. So, give freely and happily today, knowing that you’re an integral part of our success and sustenance.

Joy in this season to you and yours,

P.S. Please know that 30 percent of our operating budget is reliant on generosity from donors. If you’ve already given to this match, thank you very much!