“Advent is the season of courage—a time to trust that the God who came to dwell among us will come again to set all things right.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Table of Contents

1. Merry Christmas from the White House

2. UK Legalizes Assisted Suicide

3. Biden Pardons Son

4. Other news you should know

5. Remnant Resources

Merry Christmas from the White House

Jill Biden introduced the 2024 White House Christmas theme, celebrating resilience, community, and unity. The theme draws inspiration from a Fraser fir named "Tremendous," which withstood Hurricane Helene, symbolizing hope and perseverance through challenges. Sourced from a North Carolina farm affected by severe storms, the tree reflects the strength of overcoming adversity. In their holiday message, the First Lady and President highlighted values of fellowship, faith, community, unity, and peace, emphasizing the importance of togetherness and light during the holiday season.

It isn’t just Charlie Brown who needs to be reminded of what “Christmas is really all about.”  First Lady Jill Biden, as “director” of the annual White House show of Christmas pageantry, appears to need a modern-day Linus to remind her what peace and light are “really all about.” 

It has always been the delusion of arrogant men to embrace the possibility that beauty, goodness, peace, and light could originate without the existence of a beautiful and good Creator (Romans 1:25).

Peace and light are not simple props that exist in a ‘holiday season’; they are supernatural manifestations of a good God’s work that exist because of His grace and goodwill (Luke 2:14). Fallen humanity does not create days worth celebrating; rather it ruins holiday gatherings, creates conflicts (James 4:1-2), and “substitutes darkness for light and bitterness for sweet” (Isaiah 5:20). 

Broken worlds are filled with darkness, and wicked hearts know no peace (Isaiah 48:22). To welcome a season of peace and light without acknowledging their source is an act of foolishness committed by those “who suppress the Truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18) and refuse to acknowledge, honor, or give thanks to God (Romans 1:19-22). It is God alone who introduces a season of peace and light. He will be the One who “makes wars to cease” (Psalms 46:9), He alone is the One who will “teach nations His ways” (Isaiah 2:3), and He alone will accomplish it with such finality that men “will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war” (Isaiah 2:4). Until that day comes, may the remnant be as faithful as Linus to take our prophetic place on the stage of our day, reminding others that Jesus is not only the “reason for the season,” He is the “Prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:7) and the “light of the world” (John 8:12).

_{By: Todd Wagner}

UK Legalizes Assisted Suicide

In a landmark decision, the British Parliament voted 330-275 to legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill adults in England and Wales. The bill permits assisted dying for those diagnosed with terminal conditions and given six months or less to live, with approval from two doctors and a judge. Supporters argue it offers "dignity in death" and alleviates suffering. Critics, however, express concern about potential coercion, with Labour MP Rachel Maskell noting that "patients often say, 'I don't want to be a burden.'" The legislation now moves to committees for further scrutiny. If enacted, this bill would mark a profound societal shift, similar to Britain's earlier milestones in legalizing abortion and abolishing the death penalty.

If our secular world is confused about the value of life at its very beginning, it should not surprise us that our unbelieving neighbors are confused about dignity near its end (Ephesians 4:17-18). When we undermine the sanctity of life, whether through abortion or assisted suicide, we devalue life at all stages in between, fostering a culture where lives are disposable and dependent on perceived utility.

It is not compassionate to encourage another to commit sin; therefore, it is not compassionate to encourage another to commit suicide (Romans 13:10, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Healthcare's purpose is to heal, not to harm. Assisting in someone's suicide violates the first principle of the Hippocratic Oath: "Do no harm." Only politicians could manage the verbal gymnastics required to call deliberately ending a life "an act of care"—like calling arson fire prevention.

This doesn't mean we withhold compassion from those enduring terminal illnesses (Psalm 34:18). On the contrary, they deserve far more than mere sympathy—they deserve healthcare that alleviates suffering without dehumanizing them. 

If God is who He says He is, then you are who He says you are: made in His image, graced with dignity, and crafted for a divine purpose (Genesis 1:26-27). Your worth isn't tied to your productivity, your health, or your self-perception. It is anchored in God's love and His design for you to reflect Him in and to the world (Psalm 139:13-14).

_{By: Jamie Wilder}

Biden Pardons Son

President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday, sparking widespread controversy. Hunter, convicted of tax evasion and gun-related charges, was facing sentencing later this month. The move shocked many, as the President had repeatedly vowed not to intervene in his son's legal issues. Critics accuse Biden of abusing his executive powers and undermining judicial integrity, while supporters cite familial compassion. The pardon's timing and implications have raised concerns about fairness and potential political fallout as the President prepares to leave office.

When we see this kind of miscarriage of justice benefiting the privileged class, our response is the same as those of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 12:1), Job (Job 21:7), and the psalmist (Psalm 73:3, 13), who each asked, “why do the wicked prosper?”  It’s natural to think that this is unfair, and we wonder why God allows this. After all, why do good things not happen for us?

This leads to a broader question, “why do bad things happen to good people?”

But a better question would be, “Why do good things happen to bad people?” None of us are good (Psalm 14:3, Romans 3:9-12), and everything we have that is good comes through God’s grace. We should be thankful for that and not begrudge the way the Lord treats other sinners. 

His will is that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9), and He provides time for the wicked to repent (Ephesians 2:4-6). He will accord justice to the unrepentant in His own time (Romans 12:19).

When we resent seeing the wicked prosper, we should see ourselves in their shoes, and think, “there but for the grace of God go I.”

_{By: Ken Teaff}

Other news you should know

🇰🇷 South Korea has been playing with martial law.

⚠️ Donald Trump issues warning to Middle East.

🥐 France is looking at a government collapse.

🛍 197 million people went shopping last weekend (down 3M from ’23).

🇳🇦 Namibia got its first female president.

🔍 Trump’s FBI pick touts big plans.

💥 The US carried out a strike in Syria.

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