Vol 34 No 25

16 December 2024

RELIGION

On 'getting' the synod
- Richard Lennan
- 19 December 2024
Is the synod a parliament, a shareholder meeting, or something wholly unique? How we frame it shapes our understanding of its purpose and outcomes. Beyond analogies, could the true essence of synodality lie in embracing grace and discernment, re-centering the church on its divine mission?
READ MORE
ARTS AND CULTURE

Silent Night, from hymn to hype
- Simon Smart
- 19 December 2024
Modern advertisements blend artistry and manipulation, tugging our heartstrings while selling us things we didn’t think we needed. Take the Austrian financial giant Erste’s annual Christmas ad, which this year chronicles the history of 'Silent Night.' It's breathtaking — until its message makes a baffling twist.
READ MORE
AUSTRALIA

Falling, flying and the weight of the world
- Barry Gittins
- 18 December 2024
As airports swell with holiday travellers chasing far-flung reunions and tropical getaways, a paradox looms above the tarmac: while we demand action on climate change, few are ready to ground themselves. Flight represents humanity’s defiance of limits — an act of freedom, wonder, and consequence. Can we balance soaring ambitions with planetary survival?
READ MORE
ARTS AND CULTURE

Books, screens, and holiday dreams
- Juliette Hughes
- 18 December 2024
In a year defined by uneven cultural offerings, books stood tall while cinema faltered and television treaded water. From Alexander Armstrong’s enchanting Evenfall to Patricia Briggs’ mystical Winter Lost, the literary landscape offered gems aplenty. Meanwhile, Netflix’s Mary proved a thunderous flop, and Barbie charmed in pink. Let the debates begin.
READ MORE
ARTS AND CULTURE

A Man on the Inside asks: What does it mean to stay connected as we age?
- Daniel Herborn
- 18 December 2024
In A Man on the Inside, Ted Danson’s Charles brings wit and warmth to a retirement home whodunit with a poignant edge. Created by Mike Schur (The Good Place), this Netflix gem artfully blends comedy, mystery, and social commentary, exploring the ache of loss, the joy of purpose, and the profound value of connection.
READ MORE
AUSTRALIA

Reflecting on the year that was
- David Halliday, Michael McVeigh, Laura Kings, Michele Frankeni, Andrew Hamilton, Julian Butler
- 18 December 2024
To close the year for Eureka Street, the editorial team are taking a step back to reflect on the character of 2024. What did it demand of us? What did it teach us about ourselves, and the world we inhabit?
READ MORE
AUSTRALIA

The delight and discomfort of undeserved gifts
- Emma Wilkins
- 18 December 2024
Gift-giving should be a celebration of kindness, but modern rituals often entangle us in obligation and excess. From generous neighbours to Christmas present hauls, reciprocal gifts build and shape our relationships. But what does it mean to give without strings?
READ MORE
CARTOON

How the Grinch Marked Up Christmas
- Glen Le Lievre
- 18 December 2024
READ MORE
INFORMATION

Christmas raffle winners announced
- Staff
- 18 December 2024
Society of Jesus in Victoria–Jesuit Communications Christmas Raffle 2024. Raffle drawn on Wednesday 11 December 2024. All winners have been notified. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone for your support.
READ MORE
AUSTRALIA

Celebrating Christmas, holy and hectic
- Andrew Hamilton
- 16 December 2024
At Christmas, the sacred and the secular seem locked together. Amid the tinsel and toasts, there’s a deeper narrative: one of radical generosity, shared humanity, and solidarity with the marginalised. This season invites not just celebration but reflection on who we are—and who we might become.
READ MORE

Subscriber login

Vol 34 No 25