The U.S. air strikes in Nigeria came after months of lobbying by faith-based groups (including SBC) for the Trump administration to intervene over claims of persecution against Christians. I outlined a little of that history and responses to the strikes: www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...

>1 million Americans died in a traumatic viral pandemic, and America responded in the most American way, which was to make it more likely people would die of diseases we’d already contained by tearing up the social contract in the name of “freedom” while disregarding the actual concept of freedom.

“It is chilling that too many “pastors” and people who claim to lead churches do not understand what assault or consent is legally. It is terrifying that many don’t even have an ideological imagination for anyone to be a victim.” open.substack.com/pub/jaymallo...

My latest post on Substack: Why Aren’t We Celebrating Junia the Jailbird? open.substack.com/pub/sandragl...

In 2025, the Trump administration’s cuts to research grants sapped scientists’ appetite for bold exploration. In its place, the country may be stuck with more timid, short-term thinking, @katherinejwu.com reports.

Leading as Jesus did is not simply about imparting knowledge but about walking with another to impart life. Jesus pursued the broken, diseased, and sinful. He also rebuked those in power who hindered others from coming to Him.

Christmas day may be behind us, but the light remains. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all people.” As we step back into ordinary days, we do so carrying this hope: the life of Jesus still shines—steady, present, and unafraid of the darkness. Faithful presence still matters.

“DHS has used or adapted Rockwell’s art multiple times this year to promote its messages, horrifying the artist’s granddaughter Daisy Rockwell, reported The Bulwark’s Catherine Rampell, who interviewed her at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts.” www.mediaite.com/media/news/n...

Recall that Trump/Miller have refused to deport Abrego Garcia to Costa Rica even though he's signaled acceptance of that. They must deport him to the country of *their* choice because otherwise it won't look dehumanizing and cruel enough. This is abominable conduct. newrepublic.com/article/2043...

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas! May the Lord bless you and keep you today, and throughout the coming New Year ❤️ "Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior ... /1

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Boston!

NEW: Alan Dershowitz tells Jeffrey Epstein prosecutor "You are a real mensch:" Newly released emails show that Florida federal prosecutors had "social" meetings with Epstein's lawyers as they worked to mitigate the sex trafficker's sentence. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/a...

On the disorganized, confusing and chaotic way that DOJ is dumping Epstein documents: This is not primarily incompetence. It’s intentional. They could have released more or less orderly files. But confusion and delay are a tactic to try to create public exhaustion and resignation—“we’ll never know.”

“Or perhaps, this letter and other suspicious documents like it were released without context to plant seeds of doubt and uncertainty into the validity of all the federal documents involving Epstein.” open.substack.com/pub/jkbjourn...

“As Jesus was born in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn; Be especially present with those who have no place to lay their head, those who are vulnerable, and those who are hungry. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.” [The Prayers of the People]

As a Jew, it’s fun watching the administration post Christian nationalist messages while also saying they are doing everything they can to curb antisemitism.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder   They will call His name Immanuel ~ “God with us”   May you know our God is with you.

The young woman next to me at the Christmas Eve service had never been in a church before. She said she really liked the singing especially “the one about about Noel.” Then she asked, “what does that mean?” She was delightfully curious and added to the joy of the night.

"“Conservatives would never accept a left-wing government using regulatory favoritism to pressure conservative media,” @jonathanbchait.bsky.social argues. Now that this is occurring at CBS, they offer “pointillistic defenses” of Bari Weiss spiking a 60 Minutes story:

👍🏻 Lawmaker Sues to Remove Trump’s Name From the Kennedy Center www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/u...

“Coverups are difficult in free societies. They are routine for authoritarian governments. The Epstein coverup will be an indicator of how far we are down the road to authoritarianism. The success of such a coverup would take us much further down that road.” www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ep...

"We're fighting for the life of democracy right now... Religion is at the core of the threat." - @kkdumez.bsky.social On the importance of naming & confronting the problem of Christian Nationalism. So much that's so good here. Have a listen. ⬇️ convocation.substack.com/p/trumps-dru...

"Contrary to the contemporary mythos, Austen’s novels aren’t about love, romance, and marriage. No, Austen’s novels are about character." | Karen Swallow Prior in Dispatch Faith https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/jane-austen-ethics-250th/

"The virus can lead to brain swelling, which can cause lasting damage, including blindness, deafness and intellectual disabilities..." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/w...

Read this: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...

When communities view ICE, federal agents, and local police who collaborate with ICE as a political weapon, trust collapses. People become more afraid to report crime & everyone becomes LESS safe esp survivors of domestic violence. A 🧵 w data & examples (1/4) 👇🏽:

Chicago Tribune found that during ICE’s “Operation Midway Blitz” the rate of 911 calls decreased w sharpest decline (21%) in Little Village, home to Chicago’s largest Mexican-American population. The city has experienced 14% decline in 911 calls. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/9...

"First, Trump targeted illegal immigrants. Then he went after legal immigrants. Now, he’s attacking naturalized Americans, citizens who were born elsewhere...He’s trying to turn white against nonwhite Americans...The U.S. government now openly stands for bigotry." open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...

George Retes is an American citizen and veteran who was unjustly pepper-sprayed, arrested, and imprisoned for three days by ICE. Yet he won't be intimidated by this lawless administration. He's speaking up and telling his story as part of a new $250k @ofthebraveusa.bsky.social campaign. 👇

"Hegseth would still have been reachable after he left the room. One would think the commander would have taken a minute to call him...Unless Hegseth had given an order ahead of time to 'kill everyone.' Either way, the second strike is Hegseth’s responsibility." open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...

If Trump thought his election was a green light to engage in a massive, lawless, and brutal reign of terror—with a goal of “reimmigration” (a fascist term amounting to ethnic cleansing)—he misjudged the tenacity of lower federal courts and the decency of Americans open.substack.com/pub/contrari...

‘I’ve Been Doing This Work for 25 Years and I’ve Never Seen Such Fear’ www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/o...

The house and senate have both expressed interest in investigating the strike on survivors of the first boat strike. Both Hegseth and adm Bradley will need to answer some questions. This is why a reminder to not follow illegal orders is important

Good morning. Please enjoy this Thanksgiving composition by a burgeoning young writer.

This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for all who defend democracy—on the streets, in the courts, at the polls, and in the daily work required to uphold our Constitution. Democracy can't defend itself. Thank you for standing up for democracy and American communities.

“We most humbly beseech him to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed.” — Washington, First Thanksgiving Proclamation www.mountvernon.org/education/pr...

Earlier today, I was notified that someone was at my door. This is who it was:

More remarkable findings by a federal judge about the lack of credibility of members of the current administration.....

‘The System Is Meant to Break You’: What ICE Is Doing to People Here Legally www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/o...

“And so “distrust and verify” should be the motto going forward. Congress, the media, the survivors—everyone committed to the truth come out—needs to be prepared to keep the pressure on, and to scream from the rooftops if there seems to be evasion or stonewalling. www.thebulwark.com/p/the-epstei...

If I have a spring in my step today, it's because we were able to take a much needed break last night from the madness of our politics to enjoy the divine madness of the GOAT, Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, in a fine Washington National Opera production. 🧑‍🎤 👏 www.kennedy-center.org/wno/home/202...

This by @kkdumez.bsky.social is a must-read, connecting some really sordid threads I've never seen anywhere else.

From the description, this particular incident appears to be a targeted enforcement operation; they were looking for a specific person. That he was at church at the time is no longer an obstacle under this administration.

“The church loves to remind suffering people that “it was people that hurt you, not God” ... ... To say “it was people, not God” is convenient, and has some truth to it, but it also forces us to divorce Christ from the people who are supposed to be “in Christ.” /1

🎯

The Epstein emails are a “skeleton key” for understanding a culture “in which the wealthy and powerful appear not as master operators but as bumbling sycophants, eager to cozy up to influence no matter how villainous or depraved,” @cwarzel.bsky.social argues.