The World and Everything in It: December 22, 2023

PREROLL: The World and Everything in It is made possible by listeners like you. Hi, I’m John Stonestreet of the Colson Center.

If it seems like I’m jumping to the front of the line, well, that’s because I’m jumping to the front of the line to remind you about WORLD’s December Giving Drive.

It’s so crucial to support what you believe in.

If WORLD matters to you, and it must, because you’re still listening, I hope you’ll make a gift of support this month.

WNG.org/donate is the place to go and make a gift of any amount, and cast your vote for sound journalism from a Christian worldview.

Alright, that’s what I’ve got. I’ll jump back to my regular place now and talk to you in a few minutes.

Meantime, I hope you enjoy today’s program.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Good morning! The head of the Catholic church condones blessings for same-sex unions, but will the activists who pushed the Pope be content?

NICK EICHER, HOST: As you heard, we’ll be talking with John Stonestreet on Culture Friday. Also today, movies in theaters aimed at families.

AUDIO: I can safely say that of all the chocolate I have ever tasted this is without a doubt the absolute worst.

And the Music of Advent.

BROWN: It’s Friday, December 22nd. This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Myrna Brown.

EICHER: And I’m Nick Eicher. Good morning!

BROWN: Now news with Kent Covington.

SOUND: [Gaza fighting]

KENT COVINGTON, NEWS ANCHOR: Israel » As Israeli Defense Forces continue to battle Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza.

HAGARI: [Speaking Hebrew]

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari says Israeli forces have killed 2,000 militants so far this month, after a one-week cease-fire ended.

HAGARI: [Speaking Hebrew]

His remarks came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with families of those still held hostage by Hamas.

Talks are ongoing with mediators from Qatar to try and reestablish a temporary truce to bring more hostages home.

Meantime in Gaza, civilians are still suffering the ravages of war.

Arif Husain with the World Food Program:

HUSAIN: People are very, very close to large outbreaks of disease because their immune systems have become so weak because they don’t have enough nourishment.

The White House says it’s pushing hard to get more aid into Gaza.

U.S.-Denmark » The United States has sealed a new defense deal, allowing the Pentagon to station U.S. troops and equipment in Denmark.

That follows the signing of similar deals with Finland and Sweden earlier this month.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken:

BLINKEN: These agreements underscore the shared commitment by the United States and our European partners to bolster European and Trans-Atlantic security.

European allies have been moving to bolster defenses following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.

Red Sea Task Force » Meantime, at the Pentagon, spokesman Brigadier Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that 20 nations have signed on to a new task force to guard commercial ships in the Red Sea.

RYDER: This is an international problem, and it requires an international response. So we’ll continue to work with this coalition of the willing, and all countries will be able to contribute what they think that they can.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels based in Yemen have been terrorizing commercial ships on trade routes critical to global trade with rocket and drone attacks.

Border » President Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador are continuing talks about the historic surge of migrants at the U.S. southern border.

The White House says those talks are aimed at trying to address the problems in the countries many of the migrants are fleeing.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby:

KIRBY: We’ve done a good job working with our partners in the regions trying to get at some of the root causes, including political instability and crime. There is more that needs to be done.

Top U.S. officials will fly to Mexico in the coming days to continue those talks.

Republicans are pressing President Biden to restart talks over the remain in Mexico policy for asylum seekers.

Prague shooting » Chaos in Prague Thursday as the Czech Republic suffered one of the worst mass shootings in that country’s history.

Police say a student walked into a philosophy department building at Charles University and opened fire, shooting more than 30 people. 14 of them fatally.

The suspect also died. It was not immediately not clear if he was killed by police.

PAVEL: [Speaking in Czech]

Czech President Petr Pavel addressed the nation, expressing both sadness and anger over what he called a senseless loss of life.

Czech officials have declared Saturday to be a day of mourning for the victims.

SOUND: [Rain]

Southern California storms » In Southern California, rescue crews have their hands full as torrential rain forces evacuations and water rescues near LA.

Officials warned of possible mudslides in two areas where previous landslides destroyed a dozen homes.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.

HAHN: We’re moving forward with a plan, working with all the cities on the Palos Verdes peninsula to see if we can mitigate and at least slow down the land movement.

A slow-moving storm brought up to three inches of rain per hour to some areas on Thursday with more expected as the storm moves east today.

NORAD tracks Santa » During today’s press briefing at the Pentagon, Gen. Pat Ryder announced another critical operation:

RYDER: This is NORAD’s 68th year conducting this important mission. And children and families worldwide will be able to call to ask NORAD’s live operators about Santa’s location on the 24th, starting at 6am Eastern Standard Time.

The hotline number is 1-877 … HI (H.I.) NORAD.

Please note, however, that Christmas wish lists must be mailed directly to Santa.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Culture Friday with John Stonestreet. Plus, the Music of Advent.

This is The World and Everything in It.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: It’s Friday the 22nd of December, 2023.

Glad to have you along for today’s edition of The World and Everything in It. Good morning, I’m Myrna Brown.

NICK EICHER, HOST: And I’m Nick Eicher.

It’s Culture Friday. Joining us now is John Stonestreet, the President of the Colson Center, and host of the Breakpoint Podcast. John, good morning.

JOHN STONESTREET: Good morning.

EICHER: Well, an incredible story in The New York Times. James Martin, the liberal priest, not 24 hours after getting the green light from the Vatican, performed what may be the first ever officially sanctioned same-sex couple's blessing. Now, some other priests may have gotten there first, but I do think it's safe to say this would be the first same-sex blessing under the Pope's new rule and, qualify it still further to say, the first performed before a New York Times reporter and/or photographer, because the moment was captured with photography, and 1000+ word story. The Times reports —and I'll quote here — “in keeping with the Vatican's admonition that such a blessing should not be performed with any clothing, gestures or words that are proper to a wedding, Father Martin wore no robes and read from no text.” The story goes on, “On Tuesday morning, he was far from the halls of power. He was at home making history. Father Martin had waited years for the privilege of saying such a prayer, however simple, out in the open.” So John, Pope Francis strikes again.

STONESTREET: Yeah, absolutely. And it is now beyond dispute as if it were over the last four or five or six headlines having to do with Pope Francis that this pope has aimed to change the church and in very, very profound ways. But specifically, when it comes to this pope, I think there's a number of things to say. Number one is this Pope really operates with obscurity and vagueness and lack of clarity. It can no longer be thought of, I think, as unintentional or innocent. I think he's kind of portrayed that image that he's just the innocent loving father, and that if there's any confusion that just was because of his, you know, really good intention. It is this lack of clarity, the 5000 word edict that fundamentally isn't quote, unquote, supposed to really change anything. Well, if it doesn't change anything, you don't need this many words. This did change things. Certainly, the people on the progressive end of the church thought it changed things and thought it changed things rather dramatically, which is really saying a lot. I mean, you know, to respond to the New York Times claim that, you know, he wore no robes and he quoted no text. That's because there's no texts in the history of the Catholic Church to quote that could bless, including holy scripture, that could bless this union.

I think the second thing we're saying about this pope in this strategy is that it's very similar to strategies we've seen from the progressive end of other churches. And that is this intent that he has, and he says it all the time. He does it all the time, to divorce doctrine from pastoral practice, as if that can actually be done without gutting and neutering pastoral practice. Look, if pastoral practice is not built on sound doctrine, then it's not actually helpful pastoral practice. And so this is a false dichotomy. It's what we saw, for example, from Andy Stanley's language back earlier this year, when he had that conference in which you know, he, he separated again, here's what I believe, here's what the Church believes, doctrinally, but here's what practice looks like for loving parents or for loving preachers and you know, things like that. And it's just proof of what happens, you know, that maxim goes, if it's misty in the pulpit, it's foggy in the pew. And the fogginess, that is, I think across the board, is evidence that the mistiness is intentional, and it's leading the church in a particular way. And at the heart of it is the separation of doctrine, and pastoral practice, which is completely illegitimate.

The final thing I think, that needs to be said is, is that there's no there's an awful lot of parts of the world, where this is still very much a cultural debate; it has not been settled, that they're going to go the direction of same-sex marriage, or even in the acceptance of gay relationships, much less gay parenting, and all the other things that a blessing would entail or involve. So basically, now Pope Francis is embarking on a colonialism of the West that settled this on the rest of the world which hasn't settled this. And what an ironic thing for somebody who so often sounds like a Marxist to do. And now he's actually an instrument of oppressing ideologically based on, you know, a small part of the world and very recent part of human history that's made these new decisions when it comes to sexual morality. And his practice of not quite saying all that he means, in order to sow confusion is not worthy of a leader, much less someone that might be considered a Christian leader.

EICHER: Alright, well, John, I'd like to comment further on the story itself, the way it was written, the Times, you know, has always kept up with the times, so to speak. And same-sex marriage is, you know, it's passe at this point, but yet the framing of the story, it's, you read it, and you think, what is it, 2012? It's all written in this laudatory way, even in the description of the Roman Catholic Church, maintaining its doctrine that marriage is between a man and a woman. There's no comment, no judgment there. It says the Pope's new rule does not allow priests to perform same-sex marriages. It takes pains to differentiate between the sacrament of marriage, which must take place in a church and a blessing, which is a more informal, even spontaneous gesture. And the story just goes on just like this. But you know that in any other context, the Church's position would be portrayed in the worst possible light. And as time goes on, I think it's safe to predict it will, because this is not going to be enough.

STONESTREET: Yeah, I mean, the whole thing is disingenuous. But you know, we do live in a post-truth culture. And the New York Times has already decided what's the right side of history on this particular issue, and that the ship has sailed. So they really have no choice in terms of to offer coverage. But make no mistake - and this is another thing, too, that I think Pope Francis is bringing to this, and your question actually brings this up. I don't know, I'm old enough to remember when there was a huge push among pro-LGBTQ forces to accept civil unions, and that this was necessary for fairness and for justice - this kind of parallel status, very similar, for example, to what Pope Francis has said, it's like, okay, we're not going to call it marriage, because that's a sacrament, but we're going to do all this other stuff, or allow all this other stuff. And, you know, really nebulous and unclear term, but we won't call it marriage, but we are going to bless it, because they're, you know, quote unquote, children of God, and so on all the things that were part of that language. Well, listen, immediately, almost immediately after civil unions were embraced, they were then turned upon by the very ones who advance them as evidence of discrimination. So pro-LGBTQ forces argued for civil unions, and then used civil unions as proof, as proof of discrimination that was unjust. And, you know, we saw that language completely incorporated into the whole debate leading up to the Obergefell decision. That's what will happen from Father Martin. So make no mistake, this Catholic priest that's featured in this New York Times piece will be the one, among the ones, who do this, immediately embracing same-sex blessings, and then turning on them by this time next year as proof that the church is still discriminating against relationships that it doesn't condemn. That's what will happen in this. It's a strategic move very similar to the civil unions move.

BROWN: Well, John, I've seen the trailer. I know you have too. It's the trailer promoting a new documentary from 70s sitcom actor Rob Reiner. Reiner is one of the producers of this flick called God and Country premiering in February. It features several current and former evangelicals. I certainly recognize a few familiar faces talking about what they call the dangers of Christian nationalism. I can only imagine the chatter this kind of movie might create around kitchen and dinner tables. John, how would you encourage believers to be equipped for such conversations that will undoubtedly involve as believers of stand on life, abortion, the LGBTQ agenda, so on and so forth?

STONESTREET: Well, I think first is to know Rob Reiner's, you know, history and his agenda. And he's been really clear that he thinks actually, proof of Christian nationalism is the overturning of Roe v. Wade; he thinks proof of Christian nationalism is the rejection of pro-LGBTQ legislation. So he's not, you know, talking about even necessarily Trump or you know, the storming of the Capitol or whatever happened on January the 6th, none of that's actually part of the language, although that's certainly incorporated into the film. Now, I don't think all the quote unquote, evangelical experts who were co-opted into this particular documentary would say the same thing. But that's clearly where Reiner’s coming down. So either he's using these evangelical voices in order to advance that point, or as they said, you know, he joined later on, but he must be happy with the final product because he's absolutely putting his name on it.

You know, I think probably the more important thing then is to have a real conversation about the biblical understanding of humans and nations. The Bible talks a lot about nations. We know nations were created out of the Babel narrative, right, where, you know, God divides the language in order to spread the people out over the face of the earth. But the chapter before that there's a whole description of a whole bunch of nations that descend out of the sons of Noah. Even the Babel narrative, which is often seen as an act of big judgment, because God hated tall buildings, that's actually not what you see there in the text, it's that God had told them to spread out over all the earth, that's part of the creation mandate. They didn't do it. It's almost like he divides their tongues into nations out of an act of mercy. In other words, so they can't do everything that comes into their mind, which is a real mercy after the fall, because we ought not do everything that comes into our minds.

And then, of course, the ultimate thing you have, well two ultimate things, is the Great Commission, where Jesus tells His followers to make disciples of all nations. In other words, there's national work, do evangelism - God wants nations to turn to him. And then there is, of course, at the end of time, every tongue, tribe, nation and language all dressed in right represented before the throne of God, kind of in a reversal of Babel, but it still seems that the national identity is present. So you look at all that - nations have a role to play, and it's not just a post fall, kind of God's judgment role to play.

So then we have to look and say, Well, what does it mean for me to actually be responsible? And what is my responsibility for the nations? But the problem is, according to Rob Reiner, that sort of personal stewardship, taking responsibility for things that I can change, and I can help, and I can improve and actually hoping that my nation turns to the Lord, not just individuals, you know, that I know, that's the definition of Christian nationalism, you know, hoping that a nation is more righteous, because an unrighteous nation actually is one that's headed for judgment consistently. Then to say that out loud means that you're running afoul of this kind of condemnation of Christian nationalism, because everything is Christian nationalism. But if everything's Christian nationalism, it's not helpful to know what's wrong with it.

So I think that this is, look, we haven't seen the documentary yet. Maybe it'll come out and be spectacular. The fact that Rob Reiner, as you know, is selling it makes me think that's probably not going to happen. That's really, really unlikely. And right now, all the language on this is bringing less clarity than clarity. And it's not helpful, because if I'm not supposed to do all the things that I get accused of being Christian nationalist, what am I supposed to do to live out my faith, which is public, and which is revealed in Holy Scripture, which also talks a lot about nations and stewardship? So that's the problem. We need to be clear on stewardship and clear on nations. That's what parents can help their kids do.

BROWN: Well, John Stonestreet is President of the Colson Center and host of the Breakpoint Podcast, John, thank you and Merry Christmas.

STONESTREET: Merry Christmas to you both.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Today is Friday, December 22nd. Thank you for turning to WORLD Radio to help start your day. Good morning. I’m Myrna Brown.

NICK EICHER, HOST: And I’m Nick Eicher.

Coming next on The World and Everything in It: Flights of fancy at the movies.

Collin Garbarino takes a closer look at a couple of the family-friendly options currently playing in theaters.

MUSIC: [“Pure Imagination”]

COLLIN GARBARINO: Last weekend, Wonka starring Timotheé Chalamet as candyman magician Willy Wonka debuted in theaters. It serves as a prequel to Gene Wilder’s 1971 classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. And just like the original, you know this is going to be a musical adventure right from the opening scene.

MUSIC: [“A Hatful of Dreams”]

The movie begins with a young Willy Wonka arriving in a new city with just a few coins in his pocket and a hatful of dreams. He’s hoping to make a name for himself as a chocolatier, but he quickly runs out of money and runs into some big obstacles.

SLUGWORTH: Mr. Wonka, I’ve been in this business for a very long time. And I can safely say that of all the chocolate I have ever tasted, this is without a doubt the absolute 100 percent worst.

There’s a chocolate cartel in town, and it’s conspiring to keep Willy from selling his treats. If he’s going to make his dreams come true, he’ll need help from an unlikely group of friends, including Hugh Grant as an orange Oompa Loompa.

WONKA: Oh, I don’t think I want to hear that.

OOMPA LOOMPA: Too late. I’ve started dancing now. Once we’ve started, we can’t stop, you see?

Paul King directed Wonka. He’s the same guy who made the two Paddington movies—which are both excellent—and Wonka has much of the same vibe. Wonka is also a bit of a throwback. We don’t get many movie musicals these days. Fans of those choreographed dance numbers of yesteryear will probably enjoy Wonka with its guileless charm. The film is bold and exuberant, and the songs are actually pretty catchy.

MUSIC: [“Scrub Scrub”]

The movie’s rated PG, and it’s pretty family friendly. We get a glimpse of a couple in silk pajamas, and there’s a brief mention of a child born out of wedlock, but that’s it.

I did notice that the movie trots out some classic complaints against capitalism. In a scene that takes a page right out of Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto, we learn that there’s a conspiracy among the government, big business, and the church to hoard the world’s chocolate. One member of the conspiracy can’t even mention poor people without gagging.

But it’s hard to take these complaints against capitalism seriously because the movie portrays the solution to the problem of capitalism as more capitalism. In the end, Willy’s entrepreneurial endeavors save the day.

MUSIC: [“The Oompa Loompa to the Rescue”]

My biggest complaint about Wonka is that at 1 hour and 56 minutes, the movie was still too long. The filmmaker should have cut a couple of subplots that were totally extraneous to the story.

Also, it’s hard to imagine how Timotheé Chalamet with all his wide-eyed wonder could one day become the mysterious Gene Wilder with his hint of sinister darkness. But there’s enough visual and musical callbacks to the original to make Wonka a treat for parents and kids alike.

MUSIC: [“Pure Imagination”]

Maybe your family doesn’t like musicals, but you would still like to take a trip to the movies. Don’t despair, there’s another family-friendly option arriving in theaters this weekend: Migration from animation studio Illumination.

Illumination doesn’t yet have the same brand recognition that Disney and Pixar have, but the studio has made some impressive strides recently. Last year, Minions: The Rise of Gru became a social media sensation when teenagers started dressing in formal wear to attend screenings. Earlier this year, The Super Mario Bros. Movie became the biggest animated movie of the year with $1.3 billion worldwide.

MARIO: Wahoo!

Now Illumination hopes its new film about a family of mallard ducks takes off.

Mack is the father of the family, and he continually warns the rest of his family how dangerous it is to wander away from their safe little pond. He believes he’s teaching his family “very valuable fears.” But when a group of migrating ducks on their way to Jamaica drop by the pond, Mack realizes he needs to overcome his fears for the sake of his wife and children.

MACK: Come on. We gotta get ready.

PAM: Mack, ready for what?

MACK: Nothing, just, you know, our big super fun family migration!

But it’s not all blue skies on the way to Jamaica, and Mack’s fears turn out to have been justified. A detour through New York City proves life changing when the family runs afoul of a celebrity chef who specializes in duck a l’orange.

Migration has beautiful, smooth animation with a painterly quality. Autumn foliage has an impressionistic style. And the scenes in which the family weaves through New York’s skyscrapers are pretty impressive.

This movie is also rated PG, due to some mild rude humor.

MACK: What’s happening?

PAM: We have a No. 2 situation.

MACK: Oh!

The action is farcical and reminiscent of old Looney Tunes cartoons. The plot doesn’t break new ground with its narrative. But families will be thankful there’s no political agenda lurking behind the story. I think we’ve all had enough of that in our children’s programming. Instead, the movie sticks to feel-good lessons about overcoming fears and letting youngsters spread their wings. And even though it’s the father who exhibits the most growth throughout the movie, he’s not depicted as a doofus. He’s just a protective dad who must rise to the occasion when necessary.

Neither Wonka nor Migration is a super-duper must-see movie, but both are solid family-friendly options that feel like updated versions of kids’ entertainment from days gone by. So, if you’re a family who likes to take a holiday trip to the cinema, this year you have options.

I’m Collin Garbarino.

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Friday, December 22nd. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Nick Eicher.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: And I’m Myrna Brown. Up next, our fourth installment of the music of Advent. The selections offered in preceding weeks have been a mix of ancient and new expressions of faithful waiting. Once again this year we’ve created a Spotify playlist of all our selections. The link to that is in today’s transcript and show notes.

EICHER: This Sunday marks the fourth Sunday of Advent. And since it is also Christmas Eve, WORLD correspondent Bonnie Pritchett has selected songs whose themes reflect the message of both services.

BONNIE PRITCHETT, REPORTER: Christmas Eve services often close with the lights dimmed, candles lit, and – if your church services are like the ones I grew up with – singing Silent Night.

MUSIC: [A Cradle in Bethlehem—Nat King Cole]

That 200-year-old hymn, like many others, takes us back to the place of our Lord’s birth and the few precious moments Mary and Joseph had with their newborn son – time before shepherds, wisemen, and a mad king disturbed their peace.

NAT KING COLE: Sing sweet and low, a lullaby till angels sing amen. A mother tonight is rocking a cradle in Bethlehem…

American songwriter Larry Stock and Canadian Lyricist Alfred Bryan captured those moments in their 1952 song A Cradle in Bethlehem. Nat King Cole popularized the song on his 1960 album “The Magic of Christmas.”

COLE: A little child shall lead them. The prophets say of old. In storm and tempest heed him until the bell is tolled…

The baby - God incarnate - came to redeem the world. But, in the meantime, at the manger…

COLE: A mother tonight, is rocking a cradle in Bethlehem.

Mary and Joseph probably tried to get some much needed rest. But outside their humble accommodations, God was stirring a weary world from its spiritual slumber.

SINGER: Hail blessed morn, see the great Mediator, down from the regions of glory descend…

Angels and a star directed shepherds and wisemen toward Bethlehem.

Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning is an early 19th century hymn that considers what gift to give this new king. Ricky Skaggs joined Kristin and Keith Getty in this 2021 version called Brightest and Best.

SINGER: Say, “Shall we yield him in costly devotion fragrance of Edom and offerings divine.”

Vicar Reginald Heber wrote the hymn. Its lyrics note that of all the gifts offered the infant redeemer, only one mattered.

SINGER: Vainly, we offer each ample oblation. Vainly with gifts would his favor secure. Richer by far is the heart’s adoration. Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Following the angel’s instructions, the shepherds found the Christ child and the unsuspecting Mary and Joseph.

SINGER: Joseph dearest, Joseph mine help me cradle this child divine…

Christians have long recreated the nativity scene that includes those first humble worshippers. In the 16th century, Leipzig, Germany’s popular mystery plays combined the sacred and secular to tell the story of Jesus’s birth.

SINGER: Gladly, dear one, lady mine help I cradle this child of thine…

A cast of singers portray the many characters who make their way to the now busy manger. The song Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine comes from those centuries-old mystery plays. The band Blue Water Highway includes four of the song’s verses in this 2023 release. The modern rendition breathes new life into an old story.

SINGER: He came among us at Christmastime, at Christmastime in Bethlehem. Men shall bring him from far and wide love’s diadem. Jesus, Jesus, lo he comes and loves, and saves, and frees us. Lo he comes and loves and saves and frees us.

For WORLD, I’m Bonnie Pritchett.

[WORLD Radio Advent 2023 Spotify playlist]

NICK EICHER, HOST: Well, it’s time to say thanks to the team members who helped put the program together this week:

Mary Reichard, Jeff Palomino, David Bahnsen, Juliana Chan Erickson, Jenny Rough, Daniel Suhr, Onize Ohikere, Grace Snell, Janie B. Cheaney, Mary Muncy, George Grant, John Stonestreet, Collin Garbarino, and Bonnie Pritchett.

Thanks also to our breaking news team: Kent Covington, Lynde Langdon, Steve Kloosterman, Travis Kircher, Lauren Canterberry, Christina Grube, and Josh Schumacher.

And, breaking news interns Tobin Jacobson, Johanna Huebscher, and Alex Carmanaty.

And thanks to the guys who stay up late to get the program to you early: Johnny Franklin and Carl Peetz.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Our producer is Harrison Watters. Our production team includes Kristen Flavin, Benj Eicher, Lillian Hamman, Emily Whitten, and Bekah McCallum.

Anna Johansen Brown is features editor, and Paul Butler is executive producer.

The World and Everything in It comes to you from WORLD Radio. WORLD’s mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires.

It’s our December Giving Drive. A little more than a week to go, and I’d sure be grateful if you haven’t given yet to take a moment right now to do that before all that last minute rush with holiday preps. It’s quick, easy, and secure: WNG.org/donate. Thank you and God bless your generosity.

The Bible says: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” —Revelation 1:8

Be sure to worship with your brothers and sisters in Christ, in church this Christmas weekend. And Lord willing, we’ll meet you Monday with a special Christmas morning program.

Go now in grace and peace.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.