Each Advent season brings a new flurry of news stories and court battles over Christmas. Whether it’s a homeowner’s association telling a family, “You can’t put up those Christmas decorations” or a school telling a student, “Don’t play that Christmas carol because it’s too religious,” December brings a new round of Scrooges and Grinches trying to stop any public celebration of Jesus’ birth.

And every Advent season, we are thankful again for groups that work to defend our religious freedom and free speech.

On December 13, a federal appeals court blocked Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban. Pro-life advocates are hoping to get the case to the Supreme Court to challenge Roe v. Wade, but that remains difficult. However, it’s imperative that the court reexamine the faulty and now scientifically outdated ruling. 

When it comes to abortion restrictions, 2019 has been a banner year. Heartbeat bills, which limit abortion to the first six weeks of pregnancy, and a total abortion ban have successfully passed in several states throughout the country. But that doesn’t mean the abortion fight is over, especially in the courts. Mississippi is the latest example.

The Hallmark Channel has reversed its decision not to air an ad featuring a newlywed lesbian couple kissing at the altar.

The ads promote the wedding registry company Zola and originally began airing on December 2. Shortly thereafter, Hallmark decided to pull the ads. Explaining its decision, Hallmark said that it was, “not allowed to accept creatives that are deemed controversial.”