Worthy Brief - 12/25/2023
Friend, peace is powerful!
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
During World War I, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most unusual events in history took place. The Germans had been in a fierce battle with the British and French. Both sides were dug in, safe in muddy man-made trenches six to eight feet deep that seemed to stretch forever… but it was Christmas, and what happened next was astonishing, writes Stanley Weintraub, author of the book, Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce.
“The Germans set trees on trench parapets and lit the candles. Then, they began singing carols, and though their language was unfamiliar to their enemies, the tunes were not. After a few trees were shot at, the British became more curious than belligerent and crawled forward to watch and listen. And after a while, they began to sing.
By Christmas morning, the "no man's land" between the trenches was filled with fraternizing soldiers, sharing rations and gifts, singing and (more solemnly) burying their dead between the lines. Soon they were even playing soccer, mostly with improvised balls.”
Though the war had to continue, as commanders on both sides ordered their troops to restart hostilities, this interval of peace during war was extraordinary and unprecedented.
Friend, this is the season of peace. And the Prince of Peace has commanded us to be peacemakers. May we become known for initiating peace -- in our homes, in our families, in our workplaces, in every which situation. And never forget to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX)
(Baltimore, MD)
Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. Be sure to check it out!
Editor's Note:
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Ukraine Christmas Overshadowed By Russian Attacks (Worthy News Radio)
Pope Francis has expressed his closeness to what he said are "our brothers and sisters suffering due to war," including the people of Ukraine which faced a turbulent Christmas, with Russian shelling and drone attacks reportedly claiming the lives of at least four people. The leader of more than a billion Catholics, who has been involved in peace diplomacy with both nations, but there was no evidence Sunday his efforts had been successful.
Iran Denies Planning Houthi Attacks
Iran has denied U.S. allegations that it is involved in planning attacks by Yemen's Tehran-aligned Houthi movement on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Czech Republic Unites In Grief Over University Massacre (Worthy News Radio)
The Czech Republic plunged into a day of national mourning Saturday after a student killed 14 people and wounded 25 others at his Prague university in the worst mass shooting in the country’s, and Europe’s, recent history.
China Battles West Over Control Over World Minerals
China’s battle with the West over control of the world’s critical minerals rapidly escalated Friday after the Communist nation banned the export of production technology for rare earth metals.
UK: High Court Rules It Is Lawful to Bar Silent Prayer Vigils Inside Exclusion Zone Around Abortion Center
Britain’s High Court of Justice has ruled it is lawful to criminalize pro-life activity, including silent prayer vigils, inside a designated exclusion zone around an abortion clinic, the UK Christian Concern organization said in a press release.The ruling was handed down by Lord Justice Warby and Justice Thornton on Dec. 15, 2023.
Houthis Threaten To Strike More US Warships
American warships faced possible attacks Friday after Yemen's Houthis warned they would strike U.S. warships if Washington targeted the Iranian-backed militia.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
UN Security Council Passes Resolution to Increase Humanitarian Aid to Gaza; U.S. Abstains and Expresses Criticism of UN
Following a week of vote delays and intense negotiations to circumvent a United States veto, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) approved a resolution that called for the boosting of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and called for urgent steps "to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."
Inside the United States
Michigan’s Capitol Faces ‘Satanic’ Christmas
The heart of government in the Midwestern U.S. state of Michigan was preparing for Christmas with a satanic display of The Satanic Temple (TST) group after a Christian beheaded its other satanic monument at the Iowa State Capitol.
Biden Approves $886 Billion Defense Bill and FISA Extension on Friday, Right Before Christmas
On Friday, President Biden approved the $886 billion defense bill, providing the military with its most substantial pay raise in years. The bill, however, also prolongs the government's authority to monitor phone and internet activities of non-U.S. residents abroad, a measure that has raised concerns among critics about potential implications for Americans.
SCOTUS Rejects Special Counsel’s Request to Decide Trump’s Immunity Claim, Handing Trump a Win
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) declined the request from special counsel Jack Smith for an expedited review concerning a defense strategy in one of the two cases he is handling against Former President Donald Trump.
New Jersey: Pro-life Pregnancy Centers File Lawsuit to Block “Oppressive, Unjustified” Subpoena Issued by Democratic AG
An umbrella group of pro-life pregnancy centers has filed suit against New Jersey to block what it describes as a politically motivated “oppressive, unjustified” subpoena issued by the state’s Democratic Attorney General to produce detailed information on their business practices, the Washington Times reports. First Choice Women’s Resource Centers filed the suit in the District Court in response to a subpoena received from New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
Christian News
Vietnamese Christian Refugees Facing Arrest and Harassment in Thailand
Worryingly, Christian refugees from the Vietnamese Hmong and Montagnard minority groups are now facing arrests and harassment from officials in Thailand, where they have come seeking refuge from persecution in Vietnam, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Christian Colleges Have Increased Their Support for Abortion/Planned Parenthood Since 2021, Study Shows
A new study shows that Christian colleges in the United States have increased their support for abortion and for the major abortion provider Planned Parenthood by 10% since 2021, the Christian Post reports.