Read You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. (Ps. 4:7) Reflect When I was younger‚ Christmas seemed to have a split personality. Religious Christmas was deep and serious. It was weeks of waiting‚ candles in the dark‚ and four-stanza hymns. It was extra church services and listening to Luke 2 (again) before opening gifts. It frowned on things like commercialism‚ Santa Claus‚ and saying “Happy Holidays!” Secular Christmas‚ on the other hand‚ was bright and glittery. It was lights‚ parties‚ and kitchen countertops loaded with cookies and chocolate. It was snowmen with black hats and reindeer with red noses. It was cousins to play with and a mountain of presents under the tree—some from Santa. It can almost make you wonder if Christians know how to have fun. Is Christianity just a bunch of rules keeping you from the real pleasures of life? Don’t buy too much. Don’t believe in magic. Don’t drink too much. Don’t have sex with your boyfriend. Don’t swear. Don’t gamble. But if you dig into this‚ even a little bit‚ the lie gives way. The lesser amusements we turn to for happiness—sex‚ alcohol‚ a perfectly clean house‚ a new car‚ a bigger bank balance—deliver a burst of bliss that quickly wanes. Secular Christmas‚ with its enthusiastic sparkles‚ dumps us into the cold gray of January. Christian joy is much weightier‚ more durable. It comes from a clean conscience washed by Jesus’s blood (1 John 1:7)‚ from confidence in a future God controls (Prov. 19:21)‚ and from knowing we cannot be separated from a God who’s working everything for our good (Rom. 8:28‚ 38–39). Christian joy is also fun. “You shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days‚” says Leviticus 23:40. “Shout for joy!” exclaims Psalm 32:11. “Sing and rejoice‚ O daughter of Zion‚” the Lord declares in Zechariah 2:10. For comparison‚ here’s a quote from Ruhollah Khomeini‚ the grand ayatollah of Iran. Allah did not create man so that he could have fun. The aim of creation was for mankind to be put to the test through hardship and prayer. An Islamic regime must be serious in every field. There are no jokes in Islam. There is no humor in Islam. There is no fun in Islam. There can be no fun and joy in whatever is serious. Islam does not allow swimming in the sea and is opposed to radio and television serials. Islam‚ however‚ allows marksmanship‚ horseback riding and competition. Place that next to Isaiah 65:18: “Be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold‚ I create Jerusalem to be a joy‚ and her people to be a gladness.” Or David dancing before the Lord with all his might (2 Sam. 6:14). Or the Israelites whose “mouths were filled with laughter‚ [their] tongues with songs of joy” (Ps. 126:2‚ NIV). Secular Christmas‚ with its enthusiastic sparkles‚ dumps us into the cold gray of January. Christian joy is much weightier‚ more durable. Our Creator is the One who invented jokes and belly laughs and parties. He gave us friendships‚ dance moves‚ and the ability to come up with a perfectly timed one-liner. Jesus’s first miracle wasn’t to destroy the wicked or even to feed the hungry but to add wine to a week-long wedding party. When he returns for us‚ the celebration is going to be even more magnificent (Rev. 19:6–9). I used to think Christmas had a split personality‚ but it doesn’t. In truth‚ religious Christmas includes both “Silent Night” by candlelight and the pile of gifts around the tree. It’s both serving at the food pantry and platters of food at Grandma’s house. It’s both “Joy to the World” and “Jingle Bells.” The solemnity of Advent wreaths and Bible reading add to the joy of family celebrations‚ twinkling light displays‚ and penning Christmas cards. Out of the deep joy of being right with God springs laughter and lightness. A heart that rests secure in God is best positioned to enjoy family events (even difficult ones)‚ to sing loudly‚ to delight in the gifts others receive‚ and to savor homemade cookies fresh out of the oven. The Lord has put more joy in our hearts than they have when grain and wine abound. Respond Which religious aspects of the holiday seem dull or tedious beside the shine of secular Christmas? How can you remind yourself that a heart filled with joy in the Lord produces the best laughter? Rejoice Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains Gloria‚ in excelsis Deo Gloria‚ in excelsis Deo – James Chadwick (English paraphrase)‚ “Angels We Have Heard on High”

In his message at TGC Netherlands 2023‚ Collin Hansen discusses Tim Keller’s insights into cultural apologetics and mission in a post-Christian era‚ focusing on the background of Keller’s book Making Sense of God. Keller‚ influenced by thinkers like James Davison Hunter‚ Charles Taylor‚ Alasdair MacIntyre‚ Philip Rieff‚ and Robert Bellah‚ critiques the Enlightenment and its inability to provide meaning and justice in the absence of Christian resources. Hansen outlines seven steps inspired by Keller’s approach‚ including challenging prevailing social assumptions‚ integrating multidimensional faith‚ and demonstrating Christian community. He emphasizes the urgent need for apologetics in a cross-pressured‚ secular age.

NBC Nightly News presented an oddly cobbled together news item on Elon Musk that‚ more than anything‚ seemed intent on extending the controversy over a recent post and further instigating an ad war against X. Here is the entire report‚ as aired on NBC Nightly News on Thursday‚ November 30th‚ 2023 (click “expand” to view full transcript). A sample clip doesn't do it justice- you really need to see the whole weird hit: LESTER HOLT: It was Elon Musk unfiltered during an interview as the world's richest person defended himself and his social media company amid a string of controversies. Here is Emilie Ikeda.  EMILIE IKEDA: It was back to business for Tesla CEO Elon Musk today‚ with the highly delayed and anticipated initial delivery of the EV company's otherworldly Cybertruck.  ELON MUSK: Finally‚ the future will look like the future. [ Cheering ]  IKEDA: It comes less than 24 hours since Musk's stunning sit-down with CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin.  MUSK: If somebody tried to blackmail me with advertising‚ blackmail me with money‚ go [ bleep ] yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is. Hey‚ Bob.  IKEDA: That was the bombshell message from the world's richest person to advertisers‚ including Disney's CEO Bob Iger and NBC's parent company Comcast for pulling ad spending from his social media platform. An exodus this month after Musk appeared to endorse an antisemitic post on X.  MUSK: I'm sorry for that tweet or post. It was foolish of me.  IKEDA: Musk said he meant to suggest Jewish people shouldn't fund organizations that support groups that want their annihilation. Overnight‚ X CEO Linda Yaccarino posting that the platform is “enabling an information independence that's uncomfortable for some people.” Her boss making clear he’s not concerned with people's comfort of him‚ boasting the success of his wide ranging businesses that traverse social media‚ space‚ cars‚ and tech.  MUSK: Hate me‚ like me or indifferent: do you want the best car or do you not want the best car?  IKEDA: According to research firm Insider Intelligence‚ ad revenue for X was already forecast to drop 54% this year. Musk himself acknowledges a new advertiser boycott could bankrupt the company. Lester. HOLT: All right. Emily. Thanks. So what the report did is that it glued several things together: Elon Musk’s interview with Aaron Ross Sorkin of CNBC wherein he told various corporations to go blank themselves‚ the long-awaited release of the Tesla Cybertruck (NBC were the only ones to report that tonight)‚ and the ongoing controversy over X advertising resulting from a Musk post that was perceived as antisemitic.  And the post is really the centerpiece of the story‚ when you look at it. I know this because only a tiny portion of Musk’s clarifying remarks were included in the report‚ to wit: I'm sorry for that tweet or post. It was foolish of me.  But that was only part of what Musk said regarding the post‚ and this selective depiction what Musk said in clarification of the post he obviously regrets. Here’s part of that statement:  Of all the posts I’ve done on the platform‚ I think there might be 30‚000 or something like that‚ right? Once in a while I’ll say something foolish and I have. And I would certainly put that comment that you’ve said the actual truth among perhaps one of the most foolish‚ if not the most foolish thing I’ve ever done on the platform. And I did do my best to clarify afterwards that I certainly do don’t mean anything antisemitic in that. The nature of the criticism was simply that the Jewish people have been persecuted for thousands of years. There is a natural affinity therefore for persecuted groups. This has led to the funding of organizations that essentially promote any persecuted group or any group with the perception of persecution. This includes radical Islamic groups. Everyone here has seen the massive demonstrations for Hamas in every major city in the west. That should be jarring. Well‚ a number of those organizations received funding from prominent people in the Jewish community. They didn’t expect that to happen. But if you generically without condition sort of fund… If you fund persecuted groups in general‚ some of those persecuted groups unfortunately want your annihilation. And what I meant by that‚ when I subsequently clarified is that it’s unwise to fund organizations that support groups that want your annihilation. Is this coming across clearly it at this point? That’s a far different picture than “I’m sorry for that tweet or post”. And having part of that statement in a tear sheet isn’t the same as video. The tone is entirely different in what the reporter is trying to convey.  This is an item meant to keep the controversy alive‚ and to further instigate the advertising boycott against X‚ a site that has done its level best to defend free speech and regain its place as the digital public square since being acquired by Musk.  

An FBI employee was carjacked in the nation's capital on Wednesday."At this time‚ we can confirm that an FBI employee was carjacked on the afternoon of November 29. The vehicle was recovered‚ and the FBI Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department's Carjacking Task Force are investigating‚" the FBI said in a statement‚ according to reports.The MPD Carjacking Dashboard reports that there have been more than 900 carjacking offenses so far this year.Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas was carjacked in early October."Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Carjacking Task Force seek the public's assistance in identifying the suspects of an armed carjacking of a federal agent in the 100 block of 12th Street‚ Northeast‚" MPD noted."On Wednesday‚ November 29‚ 2023‚ at approximately 3:44 p.m.‚ two suspects approached the victim‚ who was outside of their vehicle‚ two suspects carjacked the victim at gunpoint while the victim was getting out of the victim's vehicle. The suspects fled the scene in the victim's vehicle. The vehicle was found at 4:10 p.m. in the 1000 block of 15th Street‚ Southeast‚" MPD added. "The Metropolitan Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation currently offer a joint reward of up to $20‚000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a violent crime committed in the District of Columbia." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

from Press For Truth:  TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

by Joseph P. Farrell‚ Giza Death Star: This story may be taken as the “counterpart” to my blog last Monday about Bunny the dog‚ for it concerns the Pentagram’s desires for a deployment of artificial intelligence that will be able to “decide” on taking a human life. What it interesting to me is that many […]

from Arcadia Economics:  TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

by Geoffrey Grinder‚ Now The End Begins: Pope Francis has kicked conservative US Cardinal Raymond Burke out of his Vatican apartment and stripped him of his salary after he criticized the pontiff’s pro-LGBTQ+ stance. By this point‚ it is obvious that the Roman Catholic Church‚ started by the Caesars during the time of the closing […]

by Martin Armstrong‚ Armstrong Economics: It has been confirmed that the United Nations will begin to advocate for a reduction in meat consumption this December at the COP28 summit. The UN states that “richer nations” must do their part to adhere to the Paris Climate Accords by changing their dietary needs. The people making these […]