....At Bethlehem our world's history begins. All before and after the birth of the young child takes its color from that event. As the tree, rising from a small root or seed, spreads its branches, and with them its leaves, its blossoms, its fruit, its shade, north, south, east, and west; so has this obscure birth influenced all history, sacred and secular, before and behind.

EVERY season has its own proper fruit: apples for autumn, holly berries for Christmas. The earth brings forth according to the period of the year, and with man there is a time for every purpose under heaven. At this season, the world is engaged in congratulating itself and in expressing its complimentary wishes for the good of its citizens; let me suggest extra and more solid work for Christians.

...."In light of the pandemic, so much of church health today depends on a vibrant, small group system underneath the big gatherings, whether they're in person or online," he said.

....“Churches gathering in-person is a source of considerable concern and has certainly been an instance where super spreading has happened and could happen again.”

During a press conference on Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said she supports Joe Biden’s plan to grant transgender children access to sports, bathrooms, and locker rooms in federally-funded schools according to their gender identity.

....It was the judgment of the Framers that freedom of religion is as essential to human fulfillment as are any other free choices that free people make.

....Currently, we estimate over half of churches are experiencing giving challenges. Far too few churches are preparing for what could be a rocky 2021. While the latest reports about vaccine effectiveness are good signs, the reality is much of the economic damage is already done and will affect churches in the coming year. 

....Walt Heyer, who was one of the first Americans to take hormones and have surgery to "change" from a man to a woman, realized that (a) the medical community unconscionably pushed him into these drastic changes and (b) the problem was with his upbringing, not his misgendering.

As a sociological phenomenon the monoliths in California, Utah, and Romania represent something significant. Perhaps they’re a symbol of the pandemic or a statement against lockdowns or maybe they’re just a bunch of stoners laughing as people wonder what it all means.

“Many are still staying away, people who are immunocompromised or with various conditions.”

Typically, the lead up to Christmas is a season of joy, hope, and typically, stress, for church leaders and staff as they embark on Christmas event planning. In light of COVID-19, we might all be looking forward to the fact that this year is almost over.

......“There was nothing unusual about it. It’s not pitifully poor, but there’s no sign of any great wealth either. It’s very ordinary. If this is the childhood environment of Jesus, there’s no reason to believe he grew up in anything other than a very typical Galilean rural home of its time.”

Biden has promised to grant transgender students’ privileges in the bathroom and on the field of their choice. Sen. Chuck Schumer said he agrees with the decision.

In other words, "the Great Reset" is essentially just an updated blueprint for a New World Order.

...."The notion of a reset is more important than ever before," Kerry said in a World Economic Forum panel. "I personally believe ... we're at the dawn of an extremely exciting time."

Doctors and scientists from around the world have signed a document calling for an end to COVID-19 lockdowns because of “grave concerns” over public health.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday defended the White House hosting Christmas parties despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

....Newsom refuses to lift his restrictions and has, in fact, doubled down. The state attorney general’s office, led by Xavier Becerra, has issued a filing to the Supreme Court arguing that, due to the surge in coronavirus cases and the “perils of lengthy indoor gatherings with singing and chanting,” the new limitations are warranted.

....So, how deep were the losses for the Democrats? In the U.S. House, Nancy Pelosi thought her troops would gain 10 to 12 seats. Instead, they lost, at last count, nine. But the real carnage was in the state houses.

The world is determined to look away from a horrific campaign of killings being perpetrated in Africa under the name of Islam.

A few years ago, the American Atheists set up a monument to “no God” but couldn’t find an American founder who was an atheist.

.....Well, there is good news. While some might be more naturally disposed to being disciplined, discipline is not an innate quality some have, and some don’t....Discipline can be cultivated, it can be grown, and by it we too can grow into Christlikeness.

The debate about same-sex marriage and LGBT identities in the Church of England is not new, but recent insults and threats are leading to an even bigger division among Anglicans.

Physicians in the Netherlands are now authorized to sedate dementia patients - without prior approval - before euthanizing them if it is conceivable that they will become "agitated or aggressive" while the doctor gears up to end their life.

A rare event in the heavens just ahead of Christmas will feature an alignment of planets that a famous astronomer believed was the phenomenon that is mentioned in the Bible when Jesus Christ was born.