In the December 19-20 edition of The Wall Street Journal, an art review, under the series Masterpiece, by Lance Esplund: "Finding Life Through Death" The masterpiece is "The Crucifixion, With the Virgin and Saint John the Evangelist" (c. 1460-64) by Rogier Van Der Weyden.
In the December 20 issue of The Washington Post, an obituary by Matt Schudel: "Kurt Masur, 88 Conductor who was a unifying force in divided Germany".
An op-ed by columnist Michael Gerson in the December 25 edition of The Washington Post:
"A God on our side" The op-ed has a picture with the following caption: 'A Christmas tree is seen in front of the St. Stephen's Basilica on Monday'.