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December 24, 2024
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| Christmas in a Violent Age |
| by Jared Bridges |
| Over two millennia after Christ's birth, it seems like the violence is only getting worse. Just think about the past year. From the assassination attempts on Donald Trump, to the assassination of a CEO, to war in Israel and Ukraine, mass murders at American schools and in elderly communities in Haiti, to the latest violent viral clip on social media, to a million unborn children in the U.S. alone killed by abortion, to the bodily mutilation of children in the name of trans identity, it all seems like it's coming toward us at an unparalleled rate. |
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| Mike Johnson's Nightmare before Christmas |
| by Suzanne Bowdey |
| Washington, D.C. is finally quiet, which is no small feat after last week's apocalyptic funding debate. Both sides of the Capitol have scattered, exchanging the chaos and commotion of the city for the normalcy of home. No one will be happier to leave the pressure cooker behind than House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who took a beating in his bid to keep the government open. And while the parties did manage to kick the funding fight to March, Republicans may be coming back from the holidays with a bigger question: what to do with leadership. |
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| Remembering Veterans and the 'Value of Freedom' This Christmas |
| by Sarah Holliday |
| This Christmas, may we remember the nation's heroes by thanking God for their willingness to give up everything. This is especially fitting for the holiday, as Christians understand that Christmas is when we draw special attention to the birth of Christ, the Messiah who was born so that He could then die for our sake. |
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| Outstanding - Ep. 161: A Historical Look at the First Christmas with Dr. Craig Evans |
| Podcast with Joseph Backholm and Dr. Craig Evans |
| While the Christmas story has been told for centuries, it is more intricate than often assumed and includes many details that the modern Christian may be unfamiliar with. Dr. Craig Evans, professor at Houston Christian University, joins Joseph Backholm to highlight the cultural and historical backdrop of Herod's rule, the fulfillment of prophecies, and the Magi's search for a new King. He examines who Joseph and Mary were and Joseph's dilemma over Mary's pregnancy, emphasizing the significance of a virgin birth. With insights into the shepherds' role and ancient symbols like long-tailed stars, Dr. Evans provides ample proof of why the greatest story ever told is true. |
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| 5 Ways to Give the Gift of Yourself This Season |
| by Dan Hart |
| There is a different - and perhaps better - way of gift-giving that doesn't necessarily involve spending money on material things. Here are five ideas on how we can give the gift of ourselves to others this season. |
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| The Rich History of Christmas Traditions |
| by Dan Hart |
| Have you ever wondered why it became such a common tradition for Christians to bring a tree into their homes for Christmas? Or why certain plants like holly and mistletoe are often used as Christmas decorations? As it turns out, there is a rich history behind many of the Christmas traditions that seem so common to us now. |
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| 'We're Gonna Finish the Job': Homan Talks Border Control Plans and Motivation |
| by S.A. McCarthy |
| President-elect Donald Trump's incoming "border czar" has some big plans for tackling the illegal immigration crisis that has been allowed to burgeon under the Biden-Harris administration, as well as some very personal reasons for coming out of retirement and joining the second Trump administration. In an interview with Tucker Carlson published this week, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tom Homan addressed what's gone wrong with the border, what he plans to do about it, and why it matters. |
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| Why Are Satanists Obsessed with Christmas? And What Can Christians Learn from It? |
| by S.A. McCarthy |
| Satan's hatred of the image of God extends beyond prowling about for souls to devour. The celebration of Christmas itself bears the image of God, although not in the same way we do, of course. Christ's own name is in the word "Christmas," and everything from nativity scenes and Christmas services to cheerful carols and the stars so often found atop trees serves to remind us of that blessed and cataclysmic moment when God became man, when Love became flesh. This Satan cannot abide. |
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| Bible-Reading Christians Give the Most to Charity, Non-Christians 'Give the Least': Study |
| by Ben Johnson |
| "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35). The Apostle Paul's words took root in the hearts of Bible-reading Christians, who donate more money to charity than any other group of Americans, according to a new study. The more faithful the Christian, the more likely he proved to help those in need, and to give more money. |
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| Heaven Is a Place of 'No Mores': What the Christian Has to Look Forward to |
| by Sarah Holliday |
| It's a peaceful and incredible thought, just how prominent the presence of perfect love will be in heaven. But on the other side of the coin is the similarly blessed thought of not what will be in heaven, but what won't be. While Jonathan Edwards wrote that "heaven is a world of love," author Dustin Benge has said that "heaven is a place of 'no mores.'" No more what? Well, Benge gives us a few to consider. |
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| Bible Removed from Texas School District under 'Sexually Explicit' Content Law |
| by Ian Giatti |
| The head of a Texas school district says the Bible had to be removed from school libraries because of a new state law prohibiting explicit books. Canyon Independent School District Superintendent Darryl Flusche announced in an email leaked earlier this week that under House Bill 900, which was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023 protecting schools from sexually explicit or vulgar content, the Holy Bible is unsuitable due to "sexually explicit material." |
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| Phil Robertson 'Battling Many Different Things' but 'Sharp as Ever' When It Comes to the Bible: Son |
| by Katelyn Webb |
| Willie Robertson has shared details surrounding the health of his father, Phil Robertson, revealing that the "Duck Dynasty" patriarch is "battling many different things at the same time," but is "sharp as ever" when it comes to his knowledge of the Bible. |
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