Barbara’s Riffs on Life

Finding Hope for Our Time — In Handel’s ‘Messiah’

Finding hope for our time: Charles Jennens’ libretto for Handel’s “Messiah” was a response to his time — and ours. Read more.

The top religion stories of 2025 from the Religion News Association reflect a world of turmoil — and hope. Read more.

Music to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Click here for Christmas carols — the old-fashioned kind. Read more.

All I want for Christmas is readers for my book, “Wrestling with God: Stories of Doubt and Faith.” You can help make it happen. Read more.

Where to throw those fancy decorator throw pillows? At my house, if you’re getting into bed, you throw them on the floor. Read more.

“Wrestling with God” is great gift for the believers on your list — also the skeptics, atheists and spiritual-but-not-religious. Read more.