#ourCOG Daily Brief [December 26, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for December 26, 2025.

In today’s top stories, U.S. news saw a journalist reflecting on a joy-filled assignment in Japan exploring the influence of studying abroad on Black men, while President Trump escalated the Venezuela standoff with a ‘blockade’ against tankers. Domestically, Vice President JD Vance received an early endorsement for the 2028 presidential election from Turning Point USA, though President Trump’s musings on a third term complicate future campaigns. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina achieved federal recognition after decades of effort, fulfilling a campaign promise, and a foiled New Year’s Eve terror plot in Los Angeles highlighted the complex motivations behind politically-driven violence. Globally, our correspondent in the Middle East notes a renewed focus on home, healing, and hope across the region, especially following coverage of Gaza and Syria. In Ukraine, citizens are discouraged by persistent corruption but heartened by the strength of their anti-corruption efforts, and an aquarium in Kramatorsk offers a unique refuge for both children and soldiers near the front lines.

Our latest videos include “Seek God First | Vision 2025 | Jentezen Franklin,” “If Satan Could Have – He Already Would Have | Episode 1316 | Perry Stone,” and “Stop Impressing Haters #shorts #christian #jesus.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we have reports on Smith being honored with the Spirit of Azusa Award, more Americans embracing ‘Animal Gifting’ this Christmas, a foundation announcing a partnership to support military families in need, and Church of God Publications releasing a 75th Anniversary Edition of the “Red Back Hymnal.”

In prophecy news, Christmas passed peacefully for Christian communities across the Middle East, including Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. However, tensions remain high as an Iranian terrorist was killed in Lebanon, signaling continued conflict. This follows reports earlier in the week of Iran opening new fronts in its ongoing war against the U.S. Domestically, California was hit by a second atmospheric river, bringing significant rain and flood risks, while new admissions regarding 2020 Georgia election irregularities have surfaced, vindicating claims made by President Donald Trump.

And finally, in Jewish history, we look back to December 27, 175 BCE, which marked the completion of the Septuagint, the translation of the Bible into the Greek language. According to legend, 72 sages, six from each Israelite tribe, were brought to Alexandria to undertake this monumental task, with each reportedly producing an identical translation while isolated. While the Septuagint and the Tanach are not identical in text, this event was viewed by some as a positive step, demonstrating Greek intellectual interest in Jewish thought, while others believed it became necessary due to the declining Hebrew knowledge among Alexandrian Jews.