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POLITICS

Transitioning Power

In case your Wi-Fi’s been spotty… there was an election last week.

The Associated Press officially called Arizona and Nevada for President-elect Trump, completing his sweep of all seven battleground states and securing a 312-226 Electoral College victory. As counting continues in over a dozen tight congressional races, Republicans appear on the verge of clinching the House, completing a GOP “trifecta” (control of the House, Senate, and White House). 

Trump has tapped his campaign adviser Susie Wiles as chief of staff, the first woman to ever hold the position. With a Republican-controlled Senate, #45/47 is likely to have an easy time getting his cabinet nominees confirmed.

President Biden expressed his commitment to a peaceful transition of power, and will meet with President-elect Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
We shouldn't allow political outcomes to consume our thoughts, direct our emotions, or dull our hope. Government may change, but our mission remains the same: love God and love others. 

“Jesus answered, ‘The most important [commandment] is “Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other command greater than these.’”
Mark 12:29-31(CSB) (read full passage)

WORLD NEWS

Massive Attack

This weekend, Ukraine launched its largest-ever drone attack against Russia.

Russia says it intercepted 84 Ukrainian drones over six regions, including 34 near Moscow, forcing flights at the capital’s three major airports to be grounded. Moscow’s governor described the strike as a “massive attack,” and said a 52-year-old woman sustained critical injuries when drones ignited fires in residential areas southeast of the city. 

Retaliation was swift. Russia launched a record-breaking 145 drones towards every part of Ukraine, which reported two injuries.

Russian forces in Ukraine have reportedly made their largest territorial gains since March 2022, but U.K.’s defense chief says it has come at a high human cost; the U.K. estimates Russia has suffered 700,000 casualties during the war, including 1,500 “every single day” last month.
 
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Verse to consider when the darkness in our world feels overwhelming… “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.”
John 1:1, 4-5 (CSB) (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Blessing the Little Ones

We know the kingdom belongs to the little ones (Matthew 19:14) and that persecuted believers are blessed (Matthew 5:10-12). So, it seems safe to say that God’s heart aches for the youngest members of our persecuted Christian family.

Let’s bless them this holiday season. 

The Voice of the Martyrs is working through its global network of frontline workers to provide Christmas Care Packs to the children of persecuted believers in hostile areas. Each pack is tailor-made for the needs of kids in each region and comes with a full-color illustrated Bible in their local language.

Each care pack costs $35. Share a gift of hope, and TPO will match the first $1,000 given!

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Grammy Nods

The race for the little golden gramophones is on.

Beyoncé nabbed the most nominations (11) for Cowboy Carter, including Album of the Year and Best Country Album. Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Charli XCX each picked up seven nominations, while Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan received six.

Lots of records were broken:

• Beyoncé became the most nominated artist ever (99)

• Taylor became the first female artist to reach seven nominations for Album of the Year

• Eilish became the first artist to have their first three albums nominated for Album of the Year

• President Jimmy Carter, 100, became the oldest person ever nominated, receiving his 10th lifetime nomination for Best Spoken Word Album

Awards will be handed out on Sunday, February 2, at L.A.’s Crypto.com arena. See full nomination list.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Music is a gift God gave us to communicate one’s perspective in a unique way. As you enjoy the creations of our country’s most famous musicians, thank God that He also made you to do beautiful things, and pray that you’d bring Him glory in all you do.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 (CSB) (read full passage)

Several state and federal agencies, including the FBI, are investigating “offensive and racist text messages" sent to predominantly young Black Americans following the election. The anonymously sent messages were reported in multiple states, including Alabama, California, Maryland, New York, and Tennessee. Authorities say the attack should be easy to trace; the U.S. regulates texts, unlike social media and email.
 

Investors are enjoying new views after last week’s big climb. Friday afternoon, the S&P 500 crossed 6,000 and the Dow Jones crossed 44,000––both intraday records. Bitcoin crossed $80,000 for the first time and Tesla rejoined the $1 trillion club after its stock surged 24% following the election.
 

The DOJ has filed charges in murder-for-hire plots by Iran against then-candidate Trump and an American journalist critical of Iran. Court documents allege an Iranian official ordered the monitoring and assassination of Trump to avenge the death of an Iranian leader killed by the U.S. in 2020. Two men were arrested; a third is believed to be in Tehran.
 

Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam Thursday following a night game between an Israeli and a Dutch team. The match brought hours of street disturbances between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel groups, which erupted into violence after the game; people on scooters reportedly beat Israeli fans and pelted them with fireworks. Officials say ~30 people were injured, and 62 were arrested.
 

A FEMA worker was fired for directing workers to avoid homes with Trump-supporting yard signs while assisting hurricane survivors in Florida. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell did not identify the employee but called their actions “reprehensible” and a “clear violation” of the agency’s values. Gov. DeSantis (FL-R) ordered an investigation, condemning the action as “targeted discrimination.”

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Hear Notre Dame’s bells ring for the first time since the 2019 fire…

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K—— W—— (Redacted) | Damsel in Distress/Head of Content

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