By CP StaffTuesday, December 23, 2025Officials announced the release of 130 students and staff abducted from St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger state.The victims were freed after a month-long captivity.Authorities confirmed that all 230 individuals initially taken have now been rescued.An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor.A signboard for St Mary's Private Catholic Secondary School stands at the entrance of the school in Papiri, Agwarra local government, Niger state, on Nov. 23, 2025. Fifty of the more than 300 children snatched by gunmen from a Catholic school in Nigeria have escaped their captors, a Christian group said in a statement on Nov. 23. "We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents," said the Christian Association of Nigeria in a statement, adding they escaped between Nov. 21-22. Gunmen raided early Nov. 21 St Mary's co-education school in Niger state in western Nigeria, taking 303 children and 12 teachers in one of the largest mass kidnappings in Nigeria. | Ifeanyi Immanuel Bakwenye / AFP via Getty ImagesNigerian officials announced Monday that the remaining 130 students and staff abducted from a Catholic school in the country's north have been freed, ending a harrowing month-long captivity and allowing families to reunite just in time for Christmas.The children, kidnapped in a predawn raid on Nov. 21 from St. Mary's Catholic School in the Papiri community of Niger state, were released Sunday, according to police and church officials. More than 200 people were initially taken by gunmen, a tactic increasingly common in Nigeria's volatile northern regions, where criminal gangs and militant groups exploit security gaps for ransom or ideological gains.Fifty students escaped shortly after the abduction, while another 100 were freed on Dec. 7. The latest release means all victims are now safe, authorities said. Bayo Onanuga, a spokesperson for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, stated on social media that the release followed "a military-intelligence-driven operation," but did not provide any additional details. Nigerian law prohibits paying ransoms, but families and officials have often done so in past cases to expedite releases.Diocese of Kontagora Secretary Rev. Fr. Jatau Luka Joseph confirmed the release of the "second batch" on Sunday. “We are profoundly grateful to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Niger State Government, the security agencies, and all other partners whose efforts and interventions contributed to the safe release of the victims,” Joseph said in a statement shared by the U.S.-based watchdog International Christian Concern, which called the release "an early Christmas gift."“We also extend our sincere appreciation to the parents, guardians, clergy, religious communities, humanitarian organizations, and the wider public for their prayers, support, and solidarity throughout this challenging period.”Authorities confirm that a total of 230 students were abducted and all were rescued. The St. Mary's victims underwent health screenings upon release. Counseling services are being provided, and schools in the region remain on high alert.The incident at St. Mary's highlights the persistent threat of mass kidnappings in Nigeria, particularly targeting schools. Since the infamous 2014 Chibok abduction by Boko Haram militants, which drew global attention with the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, over 1,500 students have been kidnapped in similar attacks, according to Amnesty International.Many perpetrators are linked to Islamist extremists or bandit groups demanding ransoms amid economic hardship and weak governance. Advocates have criticized the Nigerian government for failing to protect its citizens. Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation and a country deeply divided along religious and ethnic lines. Christians, who make up about half of Nigeria's 220 million people, face escalating violence, especially in the Muslim-majority north and the ethnically diverse Middle Belt.The Christian persecution watchdog Open Doors ranks Nigeria among the world's most dangerous places for Christians, with thousands killed annually in attacks attributed to radical Islamist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), as well as radicalized Fulani herdsmen militias. These assaults often target churches, schools and villages, displacing hundreds of thousands and destroying communities.A 2025 report by Open Doors cites "extreme" levels of violence and discrimination against Christians. The group documented over 3,100 Christian deaths in Nigeria in its 2024 reporting period.Fulani militants, nomadic herders clashing with farmers over resources, have been accused of targeting Christian settlements under the guise of land disputes, though some analysts argue the conflicts are more complex, involving economic and climate-related pressures. But Christian rights advocates have argued for years that violence against Christians has reached near genocidal levels. Human rights groups have criticized the Nigerian government under Tinubu for failing to curb the violence, despite promises of enhanced security. Military operations have yielded some successes, such as the recent rescues, but critics say corruption and underfunding hamper efforts.

(LifeSiteNews) — The Lord is now nigh; come, let us adore. From the Prophet Isaias 42:1-7: Behold my servant, I will uphold him: my elect, my soul delighteth in him: I have given my spirit upon him, he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor have respect to person, neither shall his voice be heard abroad. The bruised reed he shall not break, and smoking flax he shall not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not be sad, nor troublesome, till he set judgment in the earth: and the islands shall wait for his law. Thus saith the Lord God that created the heavens, and stretched them out: that established the earth, and the things that spring out of it: that giveth breath to the people upon it, and spirit to them that tread thereon. My servant: Christ, who according to his humanity, is the servant of God. I the Lord have called thee in justice, and taken thee by the hand, and preserved thee. And I have given thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles: That thou mightest open the eyes of the blind, and bring forth the prisoner out of prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. How sweet and peaceful is thy entrance into this world, O Jesus! Thy voice is not heard giving its commands; and thy hands, the hands of a yet unborn babe, seem too weak to break the reed, so frail that a breath would break it. What is it thou art come to do in this first coming? Thy heavenly Father tells it us by the prophet. Thou art coming that thou mayest be the pledge of a covenant between heaven and earth. O divine Infant! Son of God, and yet Son of man, blessed be thy coming among us! Thy crib will be the ark which will save us; and when thou walkest on our earth, it will be to give us light, and set us free from our prison-house of darkness. It is just, therefore, that we should rise and meet thee on thy approach, seeing that thou hast come all this way to us. “If the sick man cannot go out some distance to meet so great a Physician,” says St. Bernard, “let him, at least, make an effort to raise his head and turn towards him as he enters. It is not required of thee, O man! to pass the seas, or ascend the clouds, or cross the Alps. The way that is shown unto thee is not a long one; go as far as thy own self, and there meet thy God: for the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart. (Romans 10:8) Meet him at least at thy heart’s compunction, and thy mouth’s confession, that thou mayest at least go out of the filth of thy guilty conscience, for into that thou surely never wouldst make the author of purity enter!” (First Sermon of Advent) Glory, then, be to thee, O Jesus, for sparing the broken reed, that so it may regain its verdure and strength on the banks of the stream, of which thou art the source! Glory be to thee, for having checked the breath of thy almighty justice, and so cherishing the last spark left in the smoking flax, that it might burn up again, and give light at the Bridegroom’s feast. HYMN IN HONOUR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN (Composed by St. Peter Damian) May all earth and heaven be glad and resound with the praises which, in this double choir, are sung to the maternity of the Virgin. Yea, this Virgin, Mother of the Word, is made the Gate of heaven; she gave God to the world, and, by this, opened heaven to us. This happy Mother of Jesus conceived him without humiliation, and bore him without a moan; such a Mother could not be under the law put on Eve. O that rich treasury of Mary’s womb! it held the price which purchased our redemption, setting us free from the yoke of our debt. O happy we! The Son of the Eternal Father dwelt within her; the Holy Ghost overshadowed her; what is such a Virgin’s womb but a new-made Heaven? To thee, Most High, who wast born of the Virgin, be praise! Honor ineffable be to the Father, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen. PRAYER FROM THE GALLICAN SACRAMENTARY (In Adventu Domini, Oratio post Prophetiam) Benign Creator of the light, visiting an unworthy people! the oracles of the prophetic predictions, which were announced in the past ages, thou didst fulfill by the mouth of John, thou didst perfect by his works, thou didst accomplish by his mission. Grant to thy people, making supplication to thee, to serve thee without fear; that, through the bowels of thy mercy, we, being filled with knowledge, may deserve to be directed by truth. This text is taken from The Liturgical Year, authored by Dom Prosper Guéranger (1841-1875). LifeSiteNews is grateful to The Ecu-Men website for making this classic work easily available online.

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Tuesday, December 23, 2025Anet Jackson, co-founder of Faith Comes By Hearing, has died at age 90.Founded in 1972, the ministry distributes audio copies of the Bible in over 2,500 languages.A memorial service is scheduled for Jan. 16 at Hoffman Town Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor.Anet Jackson | Vimeo/Faith Comes by HearingAnet Jackson, co-founder of the prominent audio Bible ministry group Faith Comes By Hearing, has died at the age of 90.The ministry announced her death Saturday on Facebook, saying that Jackson “has gone to be with the Lord" and that her “life was marked by courage, faith, and a deep love for God’s Word.” “Alongside her husband, Jerry, she laid a spiritual foundation for Faith Comes By Hearing, believing every person on Earth needs to hear God’s Word and know that He speaks their language,” stated the group.“We do not measure Anet’s legacy by widely recognized achievements, but by the ever-increasing number of lives changed as faith continues to grow in hearts worldwide from meaningful Bible listening.”Jackson’s service is scheduled to take place at Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Jan. 16.Morgan Jackson, senior vice president of FCBH and son of Anet Jackson, said that his mother “is enjoying everything God has in store for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.”“I thank the Lord for Mom’s dedication to ensuring everyone has God’s Word in their heart language,” he stated. “She leaves an incorruptible legacy: lives changed for eternity. Mine included. We weep for now, but as Scripture declares, sorrow only lasts for the night, and joy comes in the morning.”Before his mother's death, Morgan Jackson said that she shared a vision with him. "She told me the Lord showed her the place He had prepared for her. She was surprised that it wasn’t a mansion. I reminded her that Jesus never said He was going to prepare a mansion, but that He was going to prepare a room," Morgan Jackson wrote. "We laughed and then she continued, 'It was a room, and I could share it with others, or I could keep it for myself.' All I know is that her room must be amazing so it can hold the thousands and thousands of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue who will visit her to thank her."Anet Jackson was born in 1935. She and her husband, Jerry Jackson, originally arrived in Albuquerque in 1971 to serve as intern missionaries to the Hopi and Navajo people. They founded FCBH, originally known as Hosanna, in 1972 as a library for lending cassette tapes.Over time, the ministry shifted toward recording books of the Bible and distributing them globally. Anet Jackson often traveled across the world to advance their efforts.At present, FCBH distributes audio copies of the Bible in over 2,500 languages, with the stated goal to “ensure that every translated language has Scripture by the year 2033.”“I had to trust God,” Jackson recounted in a recent interview. “And God was right there teaching me, directing me by His Holy Spirit, and I’ve had a wonderful life.”“I think when you get into the Scriptures and understand them, that’s what Jesus came [to do] was to bring hope. That this life is not it. There’s a wonderful life beyond here and there’s hope in a better life. … And our hope is in Jesus Christ.”Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter or Facebook

The Christmas travel rush is on, and it's about a 2-percent increase from last year, making this year's holiday travel period the busiest on record. The auto club AAA says they expect more than 122 million Americans to hit the roads, rails, and skies through New Year's Day.  But severe winter weather in some parts of the country could make the journey treacherous.   Airports and roads are packed as millions of people travel to visit family and friends, and as travelers are on the move, so are winter storms. In the Pacific Northwest, heavy rains resulted in major flooding.  In Redding, California, one person died when an "atmospheric river" triggered dangerous flash flooding – and more could be on the way. Meteorologist Dani Beckstrom warned, "We're talking life-threatening flash flooding on Wednesday, that's Christmas Eve, focused on the morning. That doesn't just create travel trouble; it can really lead to the threat for both life and property." Major cities from Detroit to New York and Boston are bracing for a wintry mix of rain and snow that could snarl the morning commute and holiday travel. "If you're dreaming of a White Christmas, your dreams will come true across New York State and New England. We have snow on the ground, and we have more on the way as we head into Tuesday," AccuWeather's Bernie Rayno said.  The T.S.A. anticipates screening more than 43 million passengers between December 19th and January 4th. It's so busy, the FAA is planning on using limited military airspace if needed. "Well, I have a stop in between. There's already a delay, so that's no fun," said holiday traveler Alencia Williams.  In Southern California, the holiday travel crush is causing serious backups on the freeways and at airports. "We're flying to Chicago, and our flight just got delayed by an hour and a half while we were in the Uber," said Liza Bahles of Chicago. The auto club AAA says nearly 110 million people will travel by car, and some good news, according to Gas Buddy, the national average for a gallon of gas has fallen for the fourth straight week to $2.79 a gallon.   

The Rev. Iona (Ilya) Sigida. Forum 18 A court in Russia on Thursday (Dec. 18) found a Russian priest guilty of “showing an overt disrespect for society” and imposed a 30,000 Ruble ($379) fine after authorities last month beat him, shaved his hair and beard and shocked him with a stun gun. In Slavyansk City Court in Krasnodar Region, Judge Vladimir Otroshko delivered the verdict on the administrative charges to the Rev. Iona (Ilya) Sigida, 34, an assistant at Holy Intercession and Tikhon Church in Slavyansk-on-Kuban, who was charged with disseminating information showing an overt disrespect for society, state bodies and state symbols. Rights group Forum 18 reported that Judge Yuliya Pelyushenko placed the priest under house arrest on Nov. 28, with release not scheduled until Jan. 20. This followed a violent attack by troops at the church premises on Nov. 27 and the arrest of Sigida after he critiqued Russia on the church website. In Nov. 27 interrogations, National Guard troops or Investigative Committee officials forcibly shaved Sigida’s hair and beard, beat him and shocked him with a stun gun, he stated after his release. Separately, Sigida has also been facing criminal charges “for a possibly related offense of ‘overt disrespect for society about days of military glory’ (Criminal Code Article 354.1, Part 4), apparently for articles he posted on the website of the Holy Intercession Tikhonite Church in Slavyansk-na-Kubani,” Forum 18 reported. The Investigative Committee opened two cases on Nov. 20 under this same article. These cases involve articles on the church website that criticize how Russia marks Victory Day (May 9) and other Soviet holidays. Sigida remains under investigation for two criminal charges of “Dissemination of information expressing overt disrespect for society about days of military glory and commemorative dates of Russia associated with the defense of the Fatherland, as well as desecration of symbols of military glory of Russia, insult to the memory of defenders of the Fatherland or humiliation of the honor and dignity of a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, committed publicly,” according to Forum 18. Sigida serves as a hieromonk in an independent Orthodox church led by Archbishop Viktor Pivovarov, 88. Pivovarov has faced both administrative and criminal prosecution and previously labeled Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “satanic.” The church does not maintain communion with the Moscow Patriarchate. Slavyansk City Court registered four administrative cases against Sigida on Dec. 8 under parts of Russian law’s Administrative Code Article 20. Court records show that the court assigned these cases to different judges, Forum 18 reported. The allegations involve publicly discrediting the Russian Armed Forces, “petty hooliganism” and disseminating information “in an indecent form” on the internet and telecommunication networks, which “insults human dignity and public morality,” and “overt disrespect for society, the state, official state symbols of the Russian Federation, the Constitution of the Russian Federation, or bodies exercising state power in the Russian Federation.” “It is unknown which materials form the basis of the four administrative charges, or why Fr. Iona is facing administrative prosecution at the same time as a criminal investigation,” Forum 18 stated. The rights group quoted an anonymous church member living outside Russia as saying, “Maybe [police or investigators] want to meet their quota by the end of the year and start more cases. Who knows?” Investigators raided the home of a church parishioner and questioned her about posts on the church website. The content on the website disappeared on Nov. 27. Investigators confiscated her electronic devices but did not open an administrative or criminal case against her. “Fr. Iona and Archbishop Viktor posted articles on the church website until summer 2024,” Forum 18 reported. “As well as discussing theology and liturgy, these writings often critically assessed aspects of Russian history and present-day society from a religious perspective.” The rights group wrote to authorities on Dec. 15 to request clarity on the four administrative cases and to ask if the criminal cases remain open. Forum 18 directed these questions to the Krasnodar Region Investigative Committee, the Krasnodar Region branch of the Interior Ministry and the Slavyansk police. No official had provided a response by Friday (Dec. 19). Sigida faces further court hearings on Tuesday (Dec. 23) before Judge Natalya Kovalchuk and Judge Viktoriya Statva. He will attend a final hearing before Judge Nikolay Mironenko on Jan. 14. Both Sigida and Pivovarov experienced a prior raid at the church premises at 6 a.m. on Oct. 3, 2023. They awoke to find military figures with machine guns raiding the site and seizing electronic devices, documents, and computer hard drives. “They take me abruptly inside, throw me to the ground, trip me up, face down on the floor,” Sigida told media outlet Novaya Gazeta at the time. He described how men in camouflage burst into the temple with machine guns and pinned him to the floor. “They burst into the temple with machine guns, in camouflage, in SOBR balaclavas, straight with machine guns, like military men. They twist me on the floor. And [one of them] puts his knee on my back and presses me, so that I suffocate,” Sigida said. Russian security forces interrogated Sigida and beat his body and face, he said. He told Novaya Gazeta that they twisted his arms behind his back. They attempted to shave his beard but stopped when the priest, who suffers from a spinal disorder, began to convulse. He stated that at the police station, officers forced 18-year-old “witnesses” to state that he had resisted by rushing and grabbing officers. Sigida spent two days in jail on accusations of disobeying a police officer. Authorities also opened a case against his father for “discrediting” the army. Pivovarov, whom a court fined 150,000 Rubles ($1,893) on April 8, 2024, for “repeatedly” discrediting Russia’s armed forces, escaped a beating during the 2023 raid. He told Forum 18, however, that security operatives stripped off his clothes and threatened him. Slavyansk City Court previously fined Pivovarov 40,000 Rubles ($505) on March 24, 2023, for “discrediting” the Russian armed forces in a sermon. He pleaded guilty to those charges. “I told the investigators, the policemen and the court: If foreign tanks are there under our windows, it means we are at war with an enemy, an interventionist,” the archbishop told Novaya Gazeta-Europe. He argued that if Russian tanks enter a neighboring country and soldiers torture people, they wage an invasive war. “But if our tanks are in a neighboring country, and our soldiers are savagely torturing the people, waging an invasive war, then they are damned. Such a war is cursed by both God and man. Our war is a great evil,” the archbishop said. The archbishop also told Novaya Gazeta-Europe in 2023 that he expected imprisonment or death. “I am waiting to be either killed or imprisoned,” Pivovarov said. “Then the world will know and will wonder: Who was he? Did he know in advance what was going to happen and the mysteries of existence? Where were we looking? And then there will certainly be a coup in Russia and uprisings.”

Migrants wade into the water to get to a "taxi boat" promising to take them to a nation offering an improved life for themselves and their family. In Europe, the chances of being able to stay without a strong asylum defense case are about to become very slim. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images On 18 December 2025, the Council of the European Union (EU) and European Parliament agreed provisionally on creating EU-wide "safe countries of origin" and "safe third countries" lists. Spain has responded and, here, the Spanish Evangelical Alliance explains our position on the new laws. Making applications for asylum in Europe much harder to defend. Countries of origin on the safe list include Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco and Tunisia. These nations will be considered generally safe for their citizens, therefore making applications for asylum in Europe much harder to defend, with faster (likely negative) application processing for migrants from these places.  Safe third countries are not the asylum seeker’s home country, but a country they passed through (or could be sent to) which the EU considers to be safe enough for them to live in or seek protection. These nations have yet to be identified. This is part of a new Migration and Asylum Pact, a major overhaul of European Union migration rules aimed at managing irregular migration, asylum procedures, border control, and returns more uniformly across member states. It is intended to take effect from June 2026, potentially resulting in widespread deportations. The EU proposal and Spain's response must be understood in their respective contexts. Spain supports the pact in principle but is eager to implement aspects of it faster as it faces asylum migration pressures upon Spain’s territory, especially the Canary Islands. However, the EU proposal and Spain's response must be understood in their respective contexts.  On the one hand, there is asymmetry within the EU in terms of the pressure of immigrant arrivals, which is very different in Spain, Italy, and Greece than in northern Europe; and southern countries are calling for a redistribution of the charge of these immigrants throughout the EU. On the other hand, polarization is becoming increasingly marked in Spain; the Spanish government is in minority, and it is becoming increasingly impossible to agree on a consensus regarding state policies on issues such as education, health, foreign policy or immigration policy. Therefore, the Spanish government's proposals to the EU do not have the internal agreement that an issue such as this would require. A clear balance must be found between the desire to welcome immigrants and the realistic possibilities of doing so in a dignified manner. As Evangelicals, we understand that a common policy based on widely shared principles is essential in this area. We therefore believe that a clear balance must be found between the desire to welcome immigrants and the realistic possibilities of doing so in a dignified manner. In this regard, the words of Exodus 12:49 are clear: “The same law applies both to the native-born and to the foreigner residing among you.” Immigrants who are welcomed must have the same rights as nationals.  In line with this, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights has been binding since 2007 (approved in 2000) and must be complied with in terms of human rights and equal rights for third-country nationals; EU Regulations 883/2004, 987/2009 and 1231/2010 stipulate equal rights for foreign nationals from third countries who have been residing in the EU with permanent residence for five years—or less in some specific cases. At the same time, we are equally clear about the words of the previous verse (Exodus 12:48): “A foreigner residing among you who wants to celebrate the Lord’s Passover must have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised male may eat it.”  Translated to our present situation, immigrants have an obligation to fully integrate into our society by embracing our democratic values and criteria and respecting the dignity of every human being. Resistance to integration is giving rise to xenophobic populism. In this regard, there are clear differences between different immigrant groups in terms of their degree of respect for European values and democratic culture based on Christian values. This must be resolved not only as a matter of loyalty to the host country, but also because this resistance to integration is giving rise to xenophobic populism, which is becoming increasingly popular in European nations. In our current context, it seems clear that immigration is helping to cover the population replacement rate deficit in Europe, which is very low due not only to low birth rates but also to the very high number of voluntary abortions. But it also seems evident that the flow of immigrants to Europe will exceed what can be absorbed. Therefore, as Evangelicals, we promote: Cooperation for the development and promotion of human rights, religious and political freedom in the countries of origin, which would prevent the need to emigrate and the tragedies at sea that arise from the “European dream”. The formation of a common policy in the sensitive area of immigration, and specifically halting illegal immigration.  It is precisely in the area of agreed immigration policy that the problem discussed in recent news reports arises. Unfortunately, there are a number of relevant areas of competence, such as the area of freedom, security and justice, and defense, in which, throughout the history of the EU from the Treaties of Paris and Rome, through the Treaty of Amsterdam to the Treaty of Lisbon and the current Treaty on European Union and Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, it has not been possible to reach agreement between countries.  There is no guarantee that the third countries to which immigrants are eventually sent will protect their human rights. Italy proposed a solution that sought to gain consensus, which we consider to be a positive objective. The Spanish government is reluctant in the sense that there is no guarantee that the third countries to which immigrants are eventually sent will protect their human rights. This can be resolved by establishing within the agreements with these third countries strict mechanisms for supervision and control by the EU to ensure such protection. However, it is not only important that this response to illegal immigration be realistic and feasible, but it must also be consistent with the objective pursued. If that objective is simply to get rid of a problem, forgetting that we are talking about human beings, the implementation of that solution will not be humanizing. If the objective is to deter illegal immigration and prosecute it, but also to address the human drama that often lies behind it, then every effort must be made to ensure that the aforementioned supervision instruments guarantee respect for the human rights of illegal immigrants. Finally, we must be very aware that illegal immigration sometimes hides tragedies and, in some cases, people in serious danger—such as Christians persecuted in their countries of origin (potentially designated "safe") for their faith, or political dissidents—have been forcibly returned to their countries, thus delivering them to persecution, imprisonment, torture or death. We must never forget that human beings must be at the center of every political initiative. On this issue, as with others, we Evangelicals understand that, even with agreed and reasonable rules, we must never forget that human beings must be at the center of every political initiative. Dr. Xesús-Manuel Suárez-García is from Galicia (Northern Spain). He serves as the Secretary General of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance and member of the Executive Comitte of GBU España (IFES). He has authored various books and articles on Christian faith and political engagement. 

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Mediterranean allies on Monday to promote economic advancement and regional security. Netanyahu warned that Israel is closely monitoring Iran. In Jerusalem and Bethlehem, Christmas celebrations have returned after the two-year war. The leaders of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus met in Jerusalem for their tenth trilateral summit. The last time they met was just before the October 7th, 2023, massacre. The prime minister observed, "The Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean are being tested by aggression, terrorism, and instability.  Our partnership provides strength, clarity, and cooperation that will prevail over chaos." Netanyahu indicated that Israel is watching Iran and warned of a tough response to any aggression. "We know that Iran has been doing exercises lately. We are following this, and we are making the necessary preparations. I want to make it clear to Iran here, any action against Israel will be met with a very harsh response," he said. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Bahaei announced, "Iran's missile program has been developed for defending Iran's sovereignty, not for negotiations." Netanyahu countered that the region is not looking for trouble. "No one seeks confrontation," he remarked. "On the contrary, we seek stability, prosperity and peace – exactly as the three of us said. Obviously, we are committed to defending each one of our countries, but also defending maritime lanes and other things that are shared in common and that go under international norms. I think that is obvious." Despite the security challenges, the prime minister suggested that the Mediterranean partnership offers new opportunities for prosperity and cooperation in energy, technology, and security. "We affirmed our commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords, to widening the circle of cooperation between Israel and the Arab world. We also expressed support for Lebanon's sovereignty and for a future in which legitimate state institutions hold authority and military power, and not terrorist militias," Netanyahu stated. ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters to ensure you receive the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.*** In Lebanon, Israel claims it eliminated three Hezbollah terrorists who were operating to advance terror attacks against Israel Defense Forces troops, and reestablish terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The IDF announced that one of those killed also served in the Lebanese Intelligence unit. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem's Old City, Christmas celebrations are picking up after two years of war. Dege Haylet, a Jerusalem resident, explained, "Last Christmas was in the middle of the war, so scary, so stressful, but now it looks like more stable. The situation is more stable and better than last Christmas." Visitors are also returning to Manger Square in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, providing an economic boost to the city.

(Campaign Life Coalition) — In a recent article, I wrote about Bill C-9, the Liberal government’s proposed “speech control law” – a muzzling of Christian expression that Ebenezer Scrooge would be proud of. Since that time, there have been some significant developments that I want to share with you. The most important and encouraging news is the enormous groundswell of public outrage over this draconian proposal. Not only have we garnered nearly 5,000 signatures on our petition to stop Bill C-9, but many prominent politicians, public figures, as well as clergy and public-interest groups are voicing their opposition in the strongest of terms. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association along with dozens of other groups have called on the Liberals to reverse-course, cautioning that Bill C-9 “risks serious infringements on fundamental freedoms protected under both the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and international law.” A multi-faith group of Christians, Jews, and Muslims has issued a joint statement declaring: “Bill C-9 is not a hate-crime bill. It is Canada’s most significant attempt in a generation to restrict protest and silence dissent. Bill C-9 does not protect the public from harm. It protects institutions from accountability, expands punitive policing, and criminalizes the democratic expression of communities across Canada.” The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada has warned that Bill C-9 will marginalize traditional Christians, stating, “We urge the committee to reject any amendment proposed to remove the good faith religious belief defence.” The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has stated: “the proposed elimination of the ‘good faith’ religious-text defence raises significant concerns… creating uncertainty for faith communities, clergy, educators, and others who may fear that the expression of traditional moral or doctrinal teachings could be misinterpreted as hate speech and could subject the speaker to proceedings that threaten imprisonment of up to two years.” READ: Thousands of Canadians petition to stop Liberals from criminalizing quoting Scripture Andrew Lawton, MP for Elgin-St. Thomas-London South, a stalwart defender of free speech, rebuked the Liberals in their committee meeting on Bill C-9. He warned: “There are people who have said, ‘If the Liberals are going to criminalize quoting Scripture, they better start building new jails.’” He also added: “It appears that thought crime is the only crime the Liberals seem to want to penalize.” Unfortunately, Prime Minister Mark Carney and his radical Liberals have plugged their ears to the rising chorus of concern. On December 9th, despite unified Conservative opposition, the Liberals agreed with the secularist Bloc Quebecois to remove all “religious exemptions” in hate speech prosecutions if Bill C-9 passes. This means that Christians will no longer be able to claim a “good-faith” legal exemption for sharing the Word of God and expressing their sincerely-held beliefs. That will apply to pastors in churches, teachers in Christian schools, and ordinary believers sharing their Bible-based beliefs and values in any type of public setting or venue. This means that portions of the Bible could be censored or banned in public settings – including churches and schools – if deemed “hateful” by the police or by a judge. One of our supporters recently reached out to a Liberal Member of Parliament concerning Bill C-9. The response received has unwittingly revealed the inherent danger of Bill C-9. That response, written on behalf of MP Emma Harrison of Peterborough, states: “When a person’s actions cause another person to feel intimidated or unsafe simply because of who they are… that is when the act should be criminalized.” In other words, if an LGBT-identifying person merely “feels” that a Christian is intimidating him or her by sharing God’s Word about homosexuality or transgenderism, that person can report it as a hate crime, and the police will be obligated to investigate and lay charges under the terms of Bill C-9. This Scrooge-like type of “feelings-based” prosecution is what Liberals view as totally acceptable. It is vital that we stop Bill C-9 before it passes in Parliament, especially now that the “religious exemptions” have been removed.

By Samantha Kamman, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, December 23, 2025Political commentator Tucker Carlson speaks with podcast host Bryan Dawson during an episode of the "1819 Podcast" on Nov. 19, 2025. | Screenshot/YouTube/1819 PodcastA watchdog group declared that media personality Tucker Carlson is the 2025 "Antisemite of the Year," highlighting the political commentator’s false statements about Israel and platforming of individuals who are infamous for normalizing prejudice against Jews.StopAntisemitism, an organization founded in 2018 that says its mission is to expose groups or individuals that incite hatred towards Jews, declared Carlson as the winner in its annual poll. On its website, the group states that the “distinct dishonor is reserved for the most bigoted and hateful individual who is crowned the ‘Antisemite of the Year.’” The media personality won the “dishonor” over several other contenders, including the finalists, mixed martial arts fighter Bryce Mitchell and conspiracy theorist Stew Peters. During an interview earlier this year, Mitchell referred to Adolf Hitler as “a good guy” in addition to other remarks that downplayed the Holocaust, which he later apologized for after his comments received backlash. As for Peters, the internet personality shared a poll last December on X that gave users the option of choosing between the Holocaust, Santa and the North Pole, asking them: “Which fairytale is more [believable]?”According to a breakdown video explaining the reason Carlson was awarded such a distinction, the group says the former Fox News host turned independent podcaster uses “his platform of millions to normalize [antisemitism].” The watchdog group highlighted Carlson’s interview with Nick Fuentes, a far-right political commentator and provocateur known for spreading antisemitic rhetoric and lauding Hitler and Stalin. “[Carlson] has built a reputation for giving a platform to dangerous ideas, allowing guests to spread falsehoods and [antisemitic] narratives,” StopAntisemitism stated in the breakdown video.At one point during the interview with Fuentes, the media personality declared that he disliked Christian Zionists — Christians who support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State — “more than anyone,” declaring that their beliefs are “Christian heresy.”“[Carlson] has repeatedly amplified [antisemitic] narratives, normalizing prejudice and feeding extremists with familiar, damaging tropes,” StopAntisemitism declared in the video, highlighting a clip of Carlson’s speech during the September memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona.StopAntisemitism and several conservative commentators, including Daily Wire host Ben Shapiro, noted that Carlson described the murder of Jesus Christ in a way that sounded as if he meant to imply the Jews or Israel played a role in Kirk’s assassination.Speaking on Thursday at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest Conference, Shapiro denounced Carlson for platforming figures like Fuentes, saying that hosts are responsible for the guests they invite on their shows. During the speech, Shapiro, an Orthodox Jew, warned attendees about several strategies influencers who claim to hold conservative values use to manipulate their audiences and spread conspiracy theories.“There is a reason that Charlie Kirk despised Nick Fuentes and indeed, even chided Dinesh D'Souza for debating him,” the Daily Wire host stated. “He knew that Nick Fuentes is an evil troll and that building him up is an act of moral imbecility. And that is precisely what Tucker Carlson did.”Shapiro also called out former Daily Wire employee Candace Owens during his speech at the AmericaFest Conference. StopAntisemitism previously crowned Owens as the 2024 "Antisemite of the Year," highlighting the political pundit’s remarks about the Holocaust, Israel and the Jewish community.In a social media post at the time, StopAntisemitism reported that Owens won the award via a poll with over 30,000 votes. Other contenders for the award included environmental activist Greta Thunberg and Twitch streamer Hasan Piker."Once celebrated for her unapologetic takes that catapulted her into the conservative spotlight, Owens was given platforms by prominent Jewish conservatives like Dennis Prager and Ben Shapiro," the group stated."But after Hamas' October 7th massacre, she revealed her shocking antisemitism, leading to her departure from Shapiro's Daily Wire and condemnation from PragerU."

It was a few weeks before Christmas Eve, when my wife, children, and I began placing our family’s manger scene in the den. We unwrapped the fragile figurines from their box: wise men, shepherds, Mary, Joseph, and various animals. Yet the most important person, baby Jesus, was nowhere to be found. We searched through crumpled piles of newspaper, crates marked, “Christmas,” and corners of the attic. The centerpiece of the wonder and miracle of Christmas, Jesus, was missing! In my discouragement, it gave me pause to consider, “Is Jesus missing from my heart at Christmas?” Is He nowhere to be found as I busy myself with distractions of the season? Buying presents, decorating the front of our home with lights, the inside with stockings, and running to parties. These are appropriate activities for the Christmas season, yet all are insignificant compared to reflecting on Jesus entering our world to rescue us with the love of God.   Not only do we focus on distractions during the holiday season, for some Christmas is far from “comfort and joy.” As families gather, there is often tension in strained relationships. For others, financial stress means children will not receive presents under the tree. The reality is, many people feel sadness during the holidays, as they reflect upon precious family they have lost over the years. If we lose sight of Jesus, if He is “missing” from our Christmas, the cares of this world will overwhelm us, and His birth will become an afterthought on Christmas morning, instead of being of utmost importance. The wise men joyfully worshipped and presented Jesus with gifts. The shepherds spread the good news they had seen. Mary, simply and profoundly, “treasured these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19 NIV). To this day, I have not found the baby Jesus figure. We have other manger scenes displayed containing all the pieces—most importantly, Jesus. Each time I look inside that manger without Jesus at the center, it causes me to ask myself, “Is Jesus missing from my heart this Christmas?” It’s a powerful reminder of who it is we celebrate. If, like me, you’ve realized you often lose sight of celebrating Immanuel… “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), do not feel condemnation. In fact, rejoice that our heavenly Father is bringing you a gift this Christmas! As if His very Son was not enough those many centuries ago, the Lord is now stirring your heart with renewed appreciation for the majesty of Jesus, and you’re ready to receive His love with greater humility and wonder. Jesus still stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20). He is doing that today, drawing you ever closer. What a beautiful gift for us to receive.    ~ Scripture is quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

My face was flushed and sticky with fresh tears. The last 48 hours were a blur, but one thing was for sure. There was no way I could get through this without the Lord. I lay in bed trying to sleep, but was plagued with nightmares of the previous two days. My husband’s death had been sudden; he was gone in an instant. I struggled to catch my breath, desperately wanting it all to have been a dream. But in those moments of despair, I cried out to the Lord with fresh tears streaming down my face. “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but I know there is no way I can make it without You. Please help me.” When the tears slowed, I finally fell asleep, and for a moment, there was peace. When we go through the most difficult seasons in life, we tend to want to turn away from everyone and hide our genuine emotions. We want to pretend we are okay because vulnerability is uncomfortable. However, the truth is that vulnerability often unlocks the door to healing. Being vulnerable with the Lord is usually what we need to grasp faith in the midst of the storm. Nahum 1:7 (NLT) says, The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him.  In the arms of our heavenly Father is the safest place to be, especially when our hearts are broken. God is a strong refuge in the midst of life’s storms. He often doesn’t take the storm away entirely, but He provides solace and rest while the storm rages around us.  Psalm 62:8 says, O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Think of it this way: When you go for a walk and forget your umbrella and it starts to pour down rain, you pick up your pace and try to reach home as quickly as possible because you know there is a set of dry clothes, warmth, and even a nice hot beverage waiting for you. In life’s storms, we have a choice to run to the Lord to seek refuge or stand there in the middle of the storm and let it overtake us. Storms are, by nature, unavoidable. Our goal is not to avoid the storm, but instead to seek refuge in the midst of it. Consider Psalm 91:4: He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Not only can we find refuge and rest in who He is, but his faithfulness and His promises equip, protect, and steady our feet during life’s storms. The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10) But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31) The disciples were in a boat in the middle of a storm. When Jesus approached them, walking on the water, they were afraid. I can imagine they were panicking and didn’t know what to do. They were likely overwhelmed. Have you felt like that? I know I have. Jesus spoke to them at once, saying, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here.” (See Matthew 14:24-27) That is what I want to say to you today, friends. No matter the storm you are walking through, you can find refuge in Jesus. Don’t be afraid. Take courage. He is here. ~ Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.  

(LifeSiteNews) — One of the world’s leading organic chemists explained to Tucker Carlson in a recent interview why the theory of evolution is unsupported, in contradiction to the supposed consensus of the scientific establishment. James Tour, who was born into a secular Jewish family and converted to Christianity, has had a stellar career as a chemistry and nanotechnology researcher and has been repeatedly recognized as one of the world’s most influential scientists. He pointed out that most public critics of evolution do not have his knowledge of biochemistry, which allows him to critique evolutionary theory from its foundation. Tour explained that while scientists have observed what can be called “micro-evolution” changes, such as changes to bacteria that make them more resistant to antibiotics, body plan changes in organisms have never been observed. An example of a body plan change would be an “invertebrate, something that does not have a spine,” changing into an organism with a spine, said Tour. “That never happens.” In order for body plans to change, there must be changes in genetic networks, he noted. One of the biggest holes in evolutionary theory he highlighted is the fact that, while people will “point to fossils of one creature as a precursor to another creature,” fossils of the intermediate “transformative” organisms are never seen. Instead of intermediate fossil records, we see the Cambrian explosion, which scientists describe as the sudden emergence of a massive array of complex life. “They just appeared, as if God spoke it into existence. As if God said, ‘let these kind form.’ There is an explosion,” Tour said. “But doesn’t that kind of blow up the theory right there? Because if evolution was real, you would see a gradual ramp-up from a single cell,” said Carlson. Tour affirmed that there has been no such observed gradual evolution. He also earlier pointed out that no satisfactory biochemical explanation of evolution has been presented. In fact, human beings have not even been able to create any of the four polymer components of life, which include lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, using a prebiotic root. In other words, no one has been able to assemble any of these molecules using the “chemicals and techniques that would have been available on earth before life.” “We don’t even know how to make the basic building blocks of the building blocks that make us,” said Tour. That includes a living cell.  Carlson then questioned why those who deny evolution are treated as if they’ve “committed a moral crime.” The theory is already very deeply ingrained into published literature, including the educational system, noted Tour. “Textbooks are built around this. This is all people know,” he said, adding that it frightens people to question evolution. Tour shared that, remarkably, he has had people from two different federal agencies stop by his office – ”because they did not even want to put this in an email to me” – to tell him that he can “stop writing proposals” because they are never going to get funded. “I even had a proposal that got a very high score. And I called the program director and said ‘What happened?’” According to Tour, even the director was surprised. Apparently, someone above him had axed the proposal. “Because you had questioned the orthodoxy on evolution?” asked Carlson. “Correct,” said Tour. He went on to explain exactly what it was that marked him as an evolutionary “heretic.” Around the year 2000, he received via email a request to sign a statement that said, “We view random mutation and natural selection as being inadequate to explain the diversity of life. Therefore, further research is warranted.” It was carefully worded, he pointed out. Later in 2005, he began to ask about why he had not yet been admitted into the National Academy of Science, given his exceptional scientific work.   “And they told me, ‘Jim, you’re not going to get into the National Academy of Science because you signed that statement.’” “I said, what are you talking about? That statement? I got this in an email,” recounted Tour. “I said, “I’ve done as much as anybody getting into the Academy.’” He said a Nobel Prize winner replied to him, “No Jim, you’ve done twice as much. And you’re still not getting in.” Tour said the fellow scientists he spoke to “didn’t even know what it said.” When he showed them the statement, they admitted it was “carefully crafted,” but countered that the statement has “been used to try to get Creationism into schools.” “There’s a big story here,” remarked Carlson. “Because we can judge the importance of something by the reaction to it.” “It may be that if macroevolution is not the explanation for what we’re seeing, then there must be a Creator. It points to God. Maybe that’s the problem,” he observed. Tour affirmed, “I think that may be the big problem.” To support Carlson’ conclusion, he pointed to the considerable number of people who have written to him sharing that they abandoned their faith because of the evolutionary theory they had learned in high school and college, and after seeing Tour’s content, realize that “these guys don’t have it figured out.” “I’ve had a lot of people say they’ve seen what I have to say and they’re coming back to the faith,” said Tour.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. - 1 Corinthians 16:13

Monday, December 22, 2025 We’ve got exciting news! Phil Wickham is officially joining the RiseFest 2026 lineup. With worship anthems like Living Hope, This Is Amazing Grace, and Battle Belongs, Phil has helped shape the soundtrack of the Church. His songs are sung around the world, pointing hearts back to the hope we have in Jesus. We can’t wait to welcome him to the RiseFest stage next summer. Phil Wickham will be joining Josiah Queen, Ben Fuller, and more for an unforgettable weekend of worship, encouragement, and community. Early Bird tickets are available now, making it the perfect time to plan ahead and grab tickets before prices increase. GET TICKETS 

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (LifeSiteNews) — The Diocese of Charlotte under Bishop Michael Martin, OFM, plans to add an extra “pastoral year” to its seminary formation that will require seminarians to work in Catholic schools full-time while largely living as ordinary laymen, beginning the next academic year. The changes to priestly formation, announced in a December 15 email memo obtained by The Pillar, will require seminarians to spend an additional “pastoral year” in between their required philosophy and theological studies, teaching full-time at local middle or high schools, purportedly to experience the daily challenges of the lay faithful they hope to shepherd as clerics. During this “pastoral year,” each seminarian will have a “lay mentor” and receive full pay and benefits, but they will be required to pay bills out of their teaching salary, apparently in addition to paying for an extra year of tuition, and they won’t be permitted to wear clerical garments. The changes to seminary formation are just the latest changes made to the diocese by Martin who has heavily restricted the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) and even banned the use of communion rails for Novus Ordo Masses. READ: Charlotte bishop officially bans altar rails for Communion as of January 16 This pastoral year will be an opportunity for those seminarians “who have little working experience to take on the demands of a full-time job, paying bills, and learning how to manage the elements of daily life that the people in our parishes have to balance all the time,” the memo said. The memo added that the goal of this pastoral year is to allow “sustained and substantial time in pastoral ministry in a way that the assignments given by our seminaries simply cannot provide.” Clergy in the Diocese of Charlotte CALL OUT Bishop Martin’s new seminary formation rules. pic.twitter.com/BoybENFiHl — Sign of the Cross (@CatholicSOTC) December 22, 2025 One anonymous diocesan priest told The Pillar the additional pastoral year is “bizarre.” “(The program is) adding another year to the (seminary) formation for something that doesn’t seem to be directly applicable to priestly life and ministry,” he said. Some faithful have also noted concerns that these men are likely unqualified to teach before they begin their theology studies. Some comments abt the Pillar’s Charlotte seminary report say “men with 4 years of theology study should be able to handle teaching HS,” but this is incorrect. The plan is for them to teach BEFORE studying theology. They will have taken max 2 years of philosophy, some less. pic.twitter.com/ih3JuusV2b — Christopher Anadale (@ChrisAnadale) December 21, 2025 The Diocese of Charlotte did not respond to LifeSite’s multiple requests for comment on the new seminary requirements by publication time. The seminary changes are just the latest changes Martin has made since being installed as the bishop of Charlotte in 2024. Earlier this year, Martin set off a firestorm of controversy when he merged the diocese’s four Latin Masses to just one small Little Flower chapel 40 miles from downtown Charlotte, which purposely cannot accommodate all the faithful who wish to attend the TLM. READ: Faithful pack Charlotte Latin Mass on first Sunday since restrictions took effect Within the last week, Martin officially ordered that all altar rails and kneelers no longer be used for the reception of Holy Communion at all Novus Ordo Masses by January 16, 2026. He also ordered churches to remove all “temporary or movable fixtures used for kneeling” for Holy Communion. As The Liturgy Guy pointed out, the Diocese of Charlotte inherited from Martin’s predecessor, Bishop Peter Jugis, a relatively high number of vocations to the priesthood, suggesting this may be related to the prevalent use of altar rails within the diocese. Of the diocese’s current seminarians, “75% of those young men come from parishes where the use of altar rails or communion kneelers has been the norm,” the Liturgy Guy noted, pointing to the study that shows reverent Eucharistic practices increase belief in the Real Presence. The high number of seminarians could also have been attributed to Jugis’s previous seminary program.