Remember when an entire string of Christmas tree lights would go out if even one bulb malfunctioned? It was so frustrating and time-consuming to try and locate that one problematic bulb. Thankfully, modern engineering introduced a tiny shunt wire at the base of each bulb that now prevents the whole strand of lights from failing even if one bulb does.

At the Christian Century, we’re more relevant than dated, more thoughtful than lazy, more imaginative than repetitive. But despite any “with-it” journalism on our part, we remain only as strong as our many supporters together allow us to be. So, yes, like those old strands of Christmas tree lights, we aren’t very effective without every bulb in place and working.

Have you done your part to plug in your generosity to what we do? I hope so. We need you.

If you haven’t taken the time to contribute your full giving desire to the Century this year, please stop your day long enough to make the difference NOW that only you can make. The calendar hasn’t yet flipped to 2023. The needs of this non-profit venture in religious journalism never disappear.

Thank you for everything you do to make the Christian Century viable. Your reading enthusiasm, your excitement for good writing, and your financial support all add up to goodness.

You surely know this, but I’ll say it anyway: All gifts received before January 1 are 100% tax-deductible for this year.