In 1915‚ 7-year-old Homer Mellen sent a letter to Santa. And more than 100 years later‚ the boy’s note shows just how much things have changed! A treasured family heirloom is being enjoyed all over the world as a reminder of simpler times. It’s a letter written in 1915 around Christmastime by Laurie Bloomfield’s grandfather‚ Homer Mellen. RELATED: 5 Ways You Are Actually Ruining Your Child's Life Homer was just 7 years old when he sent the letter to Santa. It read‚ “Dear Santa Claus‚ Will you please send me a box of paints‚ also a nine cent reader‚ and a school bag to put them in. And if you have any nuts‚ or candy‚ or toys to spare‚ would you kindly send me some. And you will please a seven year old boy.” The family kept this sweet letter and passed it down from generation to generation. Laurie made it public‚ though‚ in 2013‚ when another little girl went viral with her extravagant Christmas list. 2 Kids Sent A Letter To Santa Decades Apart Drew Magary had quite the laugh reading his 7-year-old daughter’s over-the-top Christmas list. The wishlist consisted of a few realistic requests. But the rest were a mix of big-ticket items‚ like $1‚000 and an iPod Touch‚ to completely ridiculous demands like “A little thing that can turn into anything at any time.” Drew couldn’t resist sharing his daughter’s list along with his hilarious commentary. And it’s certainly good for a laugh. But when comparing the list of today’s 7-year-old to the humble letter Homer sent to Santa in 1915‚ you can’t help but notice how much our society has changed! “[It was] a testament to a time when things were much simpler‚” Laurie says of her grandfather’s letter to Santa. “It is so important because of the sweet sentiment it offers.” RELATED: Little Boy Sent A Letter To Santa About His Angry Dad And It's Heartbreaking To Read There are some major differences between the Santa Letters from then and now. Homer’s list was short and focused on a few practical gifts. Any luxuries (toys‚ candy‚ or nuts) were considered a bonus and only if Santa saw them fit to “spare”. Meanwhile‚ kids these days usually expect to see loads of presents under the tree‚ not just one or two. They ask primarily for costly luxury items. And most of the “must-have” gifts serve no practical use. They are purely for entertainment. And once the novelty wears off‚ they are tossed aside instead of serving a purpose for the whole year. Another interesting thing to note about the letter Homer sent to Santa in 1915 is that it is written in cursive. How many 7-year-old’s these days choose to write in cursive‚ let alone know how? Getting Back To The Basics This isn’t to say the kids these days are bad. But it just goes to show the stark shift in our culture. A hundred years ago‚ people worked hard to afford the things that matter. They prioritized “needs” over “wants” and families were truly grateful for what they had. Today‚ most Americans live in debt mistaking “wants” as “needs”. Online shopping means instant gratification is only a click away. Yet‚ in a world full of things and all different ways to “connect”‚ people are more disconnected than ever. It’s why the letter Homer Mellen sent Santa over 100 years ago is such a valuable reminder. What better time than Christmas to look to God’s gift to man‚ Jesus‚ for inspiration on what truly matters? YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 7 Short Inspirational Christmas Stories To Center Your Heart On The Real Reason For The Season Instead of spending this season filling our lives with more things‚ perhaps we can take a look at what idols we need to give up. Let’s look at all God has already given to us and find joy in the ultimate gift of His Son Jesus! WATCH: Lessons From A 1915 Letter To Santa LISTEN: Drop the Blanket | The Moment You Never Noticed in A Charlie Brown Christmas h/t: Huffington Post Featured Image: Getty Images/George Marks (photo of the little boy) and Facebook/Fox News (photo of the letter) The post Boy Sent A Letter To Santa Over 100 Years Ago And It Shows Just How Much Kids Have Changed appeared first on GodUpdates.

A throwback clip shows Bing Crosby and his wife‚ Kathryn Crosby‚ singing a duet of ‘Winter Wonderland’ and it’s fantastic. The Christmas season is a time filled with family‚ friends‚ gifts and way too much food. It's also a period of the year when friends and family members participate in annual traditions‚ which often include enjoying a lineup of various Christmas songs and films. RELATED: Michael Buble Sings ‘White Christmas' With Bing Crosby Thanks To Special Technology Some people may feel that it's not Christmas until they view a particular Christmas-themed movie or hear a certain festive song on the radio. A likely popular choice for a favorite Christmas song comes from the legendary and late Bing Crosby. Bing Crosby And Wife Sing Duet During his illustrious career‚ Bing covered several Christmas songs‚ many of which are still in heavy rotation today. Several of his covers are classics‚ not only heard on the radio but in television programs and in movies. He sang everything from "Frosty The Snowman‚" "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas‚" “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Silver Bells." RELATED: The Voices Of Gaither Lead A Joyous Sing-A-Long To The Song Winter Wonderland In a clip posted on YouTube‚ Bing is joined by his wife‚ Kathryn Crosby‚ for another classic Christmas song. The husband-and-wife duo sing "Winter Wonderland" together. While the short clip is just a little more than 30 seconds long‚ it's still plenty of time for Bing to dazzle with his quiet‚ soothing and melodic voice. "Sleigh bells ring‚ are you listening? In the lane‚ snow is glistening A beautiful sight We're happy tonight Walking in a winter wonderland" It's likely that simply hearing Bing Crosby's voice sing a Christmas tune is enough to evoke a sense of nostalgia and a longing for Christmases past. For many‚ memories of Christmas celebrations long ago immediately come flooding back. And this can cause a desire to go back and relive those precious moments in time. Bing Crosby‚ this time with help from his wife‚ gives another memorable performance! YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Sean the Singing Doorman Spreads Holiday Cheer &; Greets Customers with ‘White Christmas' Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child has come‚ to us a son is given: and the government has been placed in his hands: and he has been named Wise Guide‚ Strong God‚ Father Forever‚ Prince of Peace." WATCH: Bing Crosby And Wife Sing Christmas Song‚ ‘Winter Wonderland’  LISTEN: Bride Gets Letter From Dad 20 Years After Death | Wynonna Judd Addresses Fans' Concerns Over Her Performance h/t: Godtube Featured Image Credit: YouTube The post Classic Clip of Bing Crosby and Wife‚ Kathryn‚ Singing ‘Winter Wonderland’ appeared first on GodUpdates.

According to Al Gore‚ COP28 is on the “verge of complete failure” as officials cannot agree on the language used in a draft statement. “COP28 is now on the verge of complete failure. The world desperately needs to phase out fossil fuels as quickly as possible‚ but this obsequious draft reads as if OPEC dictated it word for word. It is even worse than many had feared‚” Gore wrote. COP28 is now on the verge of complete failure. The world desperately needs to phase out fossil fuels as quickly as possible‚ but this obsequious draft reads as if OPEC dictated it word for word. It is even worse than many had feared. It is “Of the Petrostates‚ By the Petrostates… — Al Gore (@algore) December 11‚ 2023 Many developed and island nations fumed over a draft final statement on Monday that did not include language for a “phase-out of fossil fuels.” “The draft was put forward by the COP28 President‚ Sultan Al Jaber‚ who is also the chief executive of national oil company ADNOC‚” Oil Price reports. Via Oil Price: This draft says that the Conference of the Parties “calls upon Parties to take actions that could include”‚ among other things‚ “Reducing both consumption and production of fossil fuels‚ in a just‚ orderly and equitable manner so as to achieve net zero by‚ before‚ or around 2050 in keeping with the science.” The draft also includes the texts‚ “Rapidly phasing down unabated coal and limitations on permitting new and unabated coal power generation” and “Phasing out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption and do not address energy poverty or just transitions‚ as soon as possible.” Chances of a compromise looked slim early on Tuesday after the U.S.‚ the EU‚ the UK‚ Australia‚ and a group of island nations most severely hit by climate change said they refuse to sign a document that doesn’t mention a phase-out of fossil fuels. Delegates from small island nations said they would not endorse an agreement that would be a “death warrant” for the countries worst hit by climate change. X users reacted to Gore’s cries about COP28 being on the “verge of complete failure”: The guy who said America would be underwater 20 years ago‚ is still telling us we are running out of time. https://t.co/TI6q8OBinF — My Happy Face (@parashotz) December 12‚ 2023 Break out the tissues. The climate grifters are not getting their way – so they want to throw all the toys out of the cot. https://t.co/E4Wctr92PJ — Craig Kelly (@CKellyUAP) December 12‚ 2023 “What a shame. Let us know when you have the viable alternatives on a global scale to replace all of these things you will be phasing out. Meanwhile – we will keep everyone warm‚ clothed and fed and we will move them around‚” the US Gas &; Oil Association wrote. “We will keeping making 1000s of consumer products possible. While we are at it‚ we will make shipping those goods all over the world possible too. In our spare time‚ we will focus a bit on making fertilizers to grow the crops to feed the next group of COP29 attendees and the diesel and jet fuel to get them there. Sounds like a good plan don’t you think?” What a shame. Let us know when you have the viable alternatives on a global scale to replace all of these things you will be phasing out. Meanwhile – we will keep everyone warm‚ clothed and fed and we will move them around. We will keeping making 1000s of consumer products… https://t.co/iNgdJDFKRa — US Oil &; Gas Association (@US_OGA) December 11‚ 2023 Sultan Al Jaber‚ president of COP28‚ sparked controversy at the conference for saying there’s “no science” indicating a need to phase out fossil fuels to restrict so-called global heating. “No Science” Showing A Need To Phase Out Fossil Fuels‚ Climate Change Conference Leader Says Al Jaber reportedly said a ‘phase-out’ of coal‚ oil‚ and natural gas would not be sustainable “unless you want to take the world back into caves.”

According to a report by The Washington Post‚ the nation’s largest pharmacy chains gave individual prescription records to police and government investigators without a warrant. The report‚ based on a congressional investigation‚ raised concerns about medical privacy for Americans. “Though some of the chains require their lawyers to review law enforcement requests‚ three of the largest — CVS Health‚ Kroger and Rite Aid‚ with a combined 60‚000 locations nationwide — said they allow pharmacy staff members to hand over customers’ medical records in the store‚” The Washington Post wrote. JUST IN – The nation’s largest pharmacy chains – CVS Health‚ Kroger and Rite Aid – have handed over Americans’ prescription records to police and government investigators without a warrant‚ a congressional investigation found‚ Washington Post reports — Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) December 12‚ 2023 Officials with America’s eight biggest pharmacy giants – Walgreens Boots Alliance‚ CVS‚ Walmart‚ Rite Aid‚ Kroger‚ Cigna‚ Optum Rx and Amazon Pharmacy – told congressional investigators that they required only a subpoena‚ not a warrant‚ to share the records. Pharmacies Share Medical Data Without Warrant Lawmakers surveyed 8 pharmacy chains– CVS Health– Walgreens– Cigna– Optum Rx– Walmart– Kroger– Rite Aid– Amazon Pharmacy None said they require a warrant before providing records to law enforcement!https://t.co/csovcNNJI1 — Mawn Wuan (@MawnWuan) December 12‚ 2023 More from The Washington Post: The policy was revealed in a letter sent late Monday to Xavier Becerra‚ the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services‚ by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.). The members began investigating the practice after the Supreme Court’s decision last year in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ended the constitutional right to abortion. The revelation could shape the debate over Americans’ expectations of privacy as Texas and other states move to criminalize abortion and drugs related to reproductive health. Pharmacies’ records hold some of the most intimate details of their customers’ personal lives‚ including years-old medical conditions and the prescriptions they take for mental health and birth control. Because the chains often share records across all locations‚ a pharmacy in one state can access a person’s medical history from states with more-restrictive laws. Carly Zubrzycki‚ an associate professor at the University of Connecticut law school‚ wrote last year that this could link a person’s out-of-state medical care via a “digital trail” back to their home state. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act‚ or HIPAA‚ regulates how health information is used and exchanged among “covered entities” such as hospitals and doctor’s offices. But the law gives pharmacies leeway as to what legal standard they require before disclosing medical records to law enforcement. “We are writing to share concerning findings from a recent oversight inquiry into the privacy practices of pharmacies related to law enforcement demands for patient records. Through briefings with the major pharmacies‚ we learned that each year law enforcement agencies secretly obtain the prescription records of thousands of Americans without a warrant. In many cases‚ pharmacies are handing over sensitive medical records without review by a legal professional. Although pharmacies are legally permitted to tell their customers about government demands for their data‚ most don’t. As a result‚ many Americans’ prescription records have few meaningful privacy protections‚ and those protections vary widely depending on which pharmacy they use‚” the letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra read. “As you are aware‚ this July we and 44 other Members of Congress wrote to you‚ urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to revise its regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect Americans’ medical records from warrantless law enforcement agencies’ demands. Since then‚ we have been conducting oversight into the practices of major pharmacy chains related to their routine disclosure of patients’ medical information to law enforcement agencies. Today we write as a follow up to our July letter and to provide you with the findings‚” it continued. Read the full letter:

A teacher reportedly failed a Seattle high school student on a quiz for answering “true” on a statement that said “all men have penises.” According to KTTH 770 AM‚ who first reported the story‚ the student also answered “true” to a statement that said “only women can get pregnant.” HS student answers 'true' that 'only women can get pregnant‚' 'all men have penises.' Teacher marks his answers incorrect. https://t.co/sdsszzFkTD — TheBlaze (@theblaze) December 12‚ 2023 The quiz‚ titled “Understanding Gender vs. Sex‚” was administered in a 10th grade ethnic studies course at Chief Sealth International High School‚ KOMO News noted. The student’s mother wrote to the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH to express her frustrations and anger about the quiz. She said the school responded to her concerns with silence. From KTTH 770 AM: “I keep trying to wrap my head around how it is legal to teach inaccurate information and force students to answer against their beliefs or receive negative scores‚” she said to the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH. She asked for anonymity for fear her son would face retribution. The mom told the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH that she worries about the school routinely allowing teachers to bring political beliefs into the classroom. The gender identity issue is just one example. She also said her child‚ who is white‚ routinely faces scrutiny for his skin color and so-called privilege. She said various teachers have called her son‚ “f****d and racist‚” a “product of the patriarchy that teaches young boys not to care about anything‚” and that “he shouldn’t use the term straight to identify as because its offensive.” Seattle Public Schools‚ through a spokesperson‚ defended the quiz as “inclusive‚” arguing it was appropriate for an Ethnic Studies course. “Seattle Public Schools is dedicated to establishing inclusive environments that allow exploration of contemporary issues‚ specifically examining the impacts of power systems such as racism and patriarchy‚” the spokesperson said to the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH. “This commitment extends to fostering welcoming and inclusive settings where students‚ staff‚ and families have the freedom to express their authentic selves.” The spokesperson said the quiz was in line with state and local guidelines covering such topics. But it’s not clear how this unscientific lesson around gender identity was connected to world history. EXCLUSIVE: An activist history teacher in Seattle failed a student on a quiz for saying only women can get pregnant and that only men have penises. The student's mom‚ a liberal‚ says this goes too far.https://t.co/8VeaWqEcxL — Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) December 11‚ 2023 You cannot make this up. A teacher failed a student for answering on a quiz that men can’t get pregnant and all men have p*n*ses. Source: https://t.co/uZ6Hp8LeLx pic.twitter.com/rGIaKMIboJ — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 11‚ 2023 As KOMO News noted‚ this isn’t the first time the city of Seattle and Seattle Public Schools have been in the news for pushing its radical agenda on students.  Per KOMO News: A sexual health curriculum developed in part by the city of Seattle and aimed at fourth through sixth-graders sparked controversy earlier this year. The curriculum includes instruction on puberty blockers and encourages teachers to teach students to view gender as a non-binary concept. One lesson plan in the curriculum asks teachers to draw three columns: one for “people with penis and testicles‚” one for “people with uterus and ovaries” and a third column for “everyone.” Students must then fill in the appropriate columns with their corresponding pubertal changes. It is not immediately clear if the curriculum is used in Seattle Public Schools. Earlier this year‚ Seattle Public Schools drew the ire of parents when it was discovered that the district offers “gender reaffirming care” to students at no cost. Two health centers at the district are operated by a Washington State nonprofit which provides‚ among other things‚ gender transition medications and referrals for gender transition surgeries. One parents’ group told CITC at the time that the offering of such care “creates a really troubling situation” for families‚ noting that schools “aren’t doctor offices.” Seattle Public Schools defended its health centers‚ saying the centers “follow all applicable laws and regulations.”

Reports have indicated that former Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton will take on a larger role in President Joe Biden’s re-election bid in the coming year.

Republicans will bring a resolution to the House floor in hopes to finalize their impeachment inquiry against President Biden.