We know you've already read more end-of-the-year lists than you'd care to. They're everywhere.
And yet, we couldn't resist. This was, by far, Her.meneutics' best year ever, so we're ending 2013 with a lot to celebrate. These popular posts span the Her.meneutics canon, focusing on pop culture, the life of the church, gender, and technology.
Our readers' favorites: The most-read Her.meneutics posts of 2013
"This post was simple and short, but it managed to turn the entire discussion of Millennials and the church on its head. It also conveyed a message that we all need to hear, Millennials and non-Millennials alike." – Sharon Hodde Miller
"'Grace covers. And it covers again and again. Thanks be to God. But if we stop there, as so many writers do, we are only telling half of the story.' Such wonderful insight." – Jen Pollock Michel
The Invisible Generation Youth-focused Christianity may be sidelining the gifts of older women.
Sarah Bessey, guest writer
"Sarah Bessey affirms what those of us at midlife and beyond have experienced in both culture and in the church - older women are often viewed as irrelevant and expendable." - Michelle Van Loon
The Joy of Instagram Pausing our Internet cynicism to celebrate the little moments.
Sharon Hodde Miller
"I believe that Instagram is doing the holy work of cultivating greater appreciation of beauty and greater ability to see the beauty around us, and this post explains how." – Karen Swallow Prior
"In an era when parents can focus exclusively on the minutiae of care, feeding, and discipline of children, and when the child-free often take a defensive attitude in their decision to keep the house diaper-free, and when those who desire children but do not have them are sometimes diminished by their envy, it was refreshing to read Gina's affirmation of the goodness of children and the joy of participating in their lives as a non-parent. If anything can bridge the gap in the Christian community between the haves and have-nots, it is this essay." - Megan Hill Confessions of That Mom, the One on Her Phone A work-from-home parent during summer vacation.
Caryn Rivadeneira
"It's so easy to tsk tsk at other moms (judge) but Caryn unpacks why that mom is on her phone. Love people who spread peace - not panic." - Jen Grant
"We lose much when we think of every occasion as a photo shoot. We often fail to be fully present in the moment and to others. Instead we become obsessed with image--with how we look and with posting on social media… This is such an insightful and well-written post." – Marlena Graves
"Tons of great posts this year. One of my definite favorites was by Alicia Cohn: Everything I Know About Being a Single Woman I Owe to Liz Lemon." – Ruth Moon
"I appreciate how honest Katelyn is in this article about her gut reactions towards what is "feminine." Her willingness to question these reactions sheds light on unhelpful associations between femininity and shallowness and point the way toward a fuller understanding of female beauty." - Liuan Huska
Beware of Baby Envy Since biblical times, women have struggled to rejoice at another's pregnancy.
Megan Hill
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"So powerful and true and healing, and something that really needed to be said." - Gina Dalfonzo
"Katelyn Beaty wrote a wonderful post that didn't just defend her role in the workplace, it offered a fact-based reproof (somehow gentle but firm) of those who heap judgement on working women in general." - Alicia Cohn
We are grateful to our readers and writers for every post-gone-viral, every response and retweet, and every modest-but-thoughtful analysis. We can't wait for what's to come in 2014.