Why do Christians and so many other people believe in an invisible Ruler and Creator of the universe—and then how does the Christian idea of God differ from the others?

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s struggles point to the escalating crisis of governability for blue cities across the United States.

Today is Holy Innocents’ Day. Right at the beginning of His life on earth, Jesus was at the place where hope and death meet.

The specifically Christian idea of the Virgin Birth is one of the most controversial and confusing theological concepts around, and a Yuletide blog which didn’t take on the topic wouldn’t be doing its job.

Agreement on this issue is much harder than it looks, in part because both in Korea and Japan this problem has gotten entangled with many other questions.

The surprise Modi visit to Pakistan is almost certainly not the beginning of a real process of reconciliation between these estranged neighbors.

The traditional Via Meadia Yule Blog continues today, Boxing Day, with the second of the Thirteen Posts of Christmas. From Christmas through to Twelfth Night, we explore the Christmas story and the ideas behind the celebration.

A little good news in an otherwise gloomy world.

Merry Christmas and happy holiday to all!

It’s Christmas Eve today and time for the oldest tradition at Via Meadia, going back to 2009: our annual Yule Blog when we update and present our thirteen posts of Christmas running from the preparatory Advent blog on Christmas Eve through Twelfth Night. During the holiday season, we will blog on a light holiday schedule through New Year’s Day. On January 2 we will be back at full force.