January 9

‘News of the year’

There is a rainbow in the opening photo of refugees. How fitting for the image of desperate refugees on the sea to include a visual reminder of God’s promise never again to flood the earth. It’s a wonderful picture of salvation.

Steve Thompson / Oak Harbor, Wash.

The week of the Charleston shooting was about the love of Christ. Elisabeth Elliot passed away on June 15, and on June 17 that kid shot up the Bible study. Two days later live television showed the victims’ family members extending Christ’s forgiveness to the one who killed their loved ones, just as Elliot had lived out.

Charles Hodges / Louisville, Ky.

You describe Edward Brooke as the “first African-American elected to the U.S. Senate.” Yes, he was the first elected by popular vote, but in 1870 Mississippi legislators elected Hiram Rhodes Revels to the Senate (which was how all senators were elected until 1913).

William W. Campbell / Lancaster, Pa.

The death of Baptist minister and musician Mosie Lister should have been listed for many reasons. Two of them: his great music and longevity.

Jim Evans on wng.org

You noted the champions of professional football, basketball, and baseball, and even ran a photo of the Triple Crown winner. But don’t you have one hockey fan on staff to remind you that the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup?

Brian F. Fleck / East Berlin, Pa.

We enjoy WORLD but were disappointed not to find even one small blurb about Canada’s new prime minister, Justin Trudeau. This is not good news, and Americans should know about his ideas regarding, for example, immigration.

Annette Zekveld / Bowmanville, Ontario

‘Thanks for the memories’

When my mom asked me how I liked The Force Awakens, all I could do was make Wookiee noises and cry lamely that I both hated and loved it. But when I read your review, realization dawned. May the Lord be with you.

Ella Ruthig / Bliss, Mich.

My teen daughter and I, who had no great expectations, really enjoyed the movie. My sons, who breathlessly watched countdown clocks for months, were disappointed. How could any movie satisfy those kinds of expectations?

Patrick Malone on wng.org

‘Seething cauldrons’

At our local university a racist comment that was widely shared on social media prompted a peaceful protest. The responses, quoted in our newspaper, of some black students who had been targeted, were mature and reasonable. There are still reasonable people on college campuses.

Mary Murphy / Indiana, Pa.

It’s not only in academia; in conservative, evangelical churches too there are a lack of knowledge and interest in learning basic facts, a lack of self-control in simple conversations, and ad hominem attacks.

Adrian Noren / Marietta, Ga.

‘The gift of garb’

The animal skin cloaks that the Heavenly Tailor created for the first couple set the example of shedding blood for the “covering” (remission) of sin. And those who work around fig trees know how much their original coverings would have itched; fig leaves feel like fiberglass insulation.

Carey Stark on wng.org

I was struck by your claim that “in only three situations is nakedness perfectly natural: birth and early childhood, sex (sometimes), and judgment.” I read that to my teen daughter, who replied, “What about taking a shower?”

Glenn Medberry / Rochester, Minn.

‘Old every evening’

It defies reason when media hacks tout gun control, diversity, and multiculturalism, and still believe that they are objective.

Shelly Tuttle on wng.org

‘My life as a bug’

I had an inner ear malfunction that led, like Andrée Seu Peterson, to a keen appreciation for balance. In my bedridden state I read up on this marvelous design and was astonished at the complexity of our triple-axis orientation and guidance system. I love lessons like these. It’s as if God calls a timeout just for us.

David Berryman / Marshall, Va.

Quotables

Regarding Women in Solidarity with Hijabs, I hope Christians and Muslims do not have the same God. Muslims consider Jesus only a prophet and their Allah has no begotten son.

Gene Pomiak / Hemet, Calif.

‘Tina and Amy’

I’m a big fan of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s comedy and have been debating about whether to see this movie. This review helped me make my decision.

Lucy Bauer on wng.org

December 26

‘Chilly reception’

Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, but the Old Testament also teaches that it’s appropriate to defend our wives and our children from evil men. There is evil in this world that comes from the hand of the enemy.

D.S. Gerlach on wng.org

If we accept Syrian refugees, we will have an opportunity to share the One True God with them. Will we be faithful for this great harvest?

Renee Novo on wng.org

Thank you for tackling an emotionally charged topic, but to avoid politicizing the discussion it might be helpful not to blame a Democratic president for a Syrian civil war he did not create. Many believe that neither Obama’s action nor inaction could have guaranteed a better outcome and that the Bush administration’s Iraq invasion caused the instability that spawned ISIS.

Kristen Pollock / Muskegon, Mich.

‘Sign them up’

I dearly loved Marvin Olasky’s story. What a contrast between polished, professional church people and the pure faith of a humble believer!

Diane McLane / Mountain Home, Ark.

In this story the main characters, Sam and Rachel, who are representing Jesus, are living together. Truly, the issue of inconsistency among the people of God is paramount today. The need is great for revival.

Jeff Berg / Forest Hill, Md.

‘Joyful chiming’

As we age, do our once rose-colored glasses lose their tint and become ordinary bifocals? Whatever the reason, we should remember Paul and Silas singing at the top of their lungs in prison. Loss of expectation is indeed loss of hope.

Mickey Giles / Austin, Texas

December 12

‘Unconquered’

My heart breaks for what these men had to endure, yet I’m impressed by their unwavering faith.

Janet Piccione Klepper on Facebook

I am impressed with the quality of your photography in each issue. The Daniel issue cover was remarkable and so were the photos inside.

Gary Lindberg / Olathe, Colo.

WORLD Around the World

Punta de Palma, GuatemalaSubmitted by TJ Frain

Send photos to mailbag@worldmag.com