#ourCOG Daily Brief [December 24, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for December 24, 2025.

In today’s top stories, U.S. news sees President Trump escalating the Venezuela standoff with a “blockade” against oil tankers, indicating goals beyond narcotics to pressure the Maduro regime. Domestically, Turning Point USA has endorsed Vice President JD Vance for the 2028 presidential election, creating buzz amid President Trump’s own musings about a third term. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has finally received federal recognition, a decades-long effort that will open up more government benefits and fulfills a Trump campaign promise. Law enforcement successfully foiled a New Year’s Eve terror plot in Los Angeles, which experts say highlights the diverse and often “mishmash” of beliefs that can fuel violence. Additionally, some lawful permanent residents are seeing their naturalization ceremonies canceled as the Trump administration reviews applicants from 19 countries identified as high security risks. Globally, our correspondent Taylor Luck reports a renewed focus on home, healing, and restored hope across the Middle East, particularly in Gaza and the new Syria. Ukraine continues to grapple with corruption, though many are encouraged by the growing strength of the country’s anti-corruption apparatus. And near Ukraine’s front lines in Kramatorsk, an “Aquarium of Amazing Fishes” provides a welcome refuge for children and soldiers alike, allowing them to dream beyond the ongoing conflict.

Our video section this week features the CHRISTmas Candlelight Service 2025, another CHRISTmas Candlelight Service 2025, and the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we have: Smith Honored with Spirit of Azusa Award, More Americans Embrace ‘Animal Gifting’ This Christmas, Foundation Announces Partnership to Support Military Families in Need, and Church of God Publications Releases 75th Anniversary Edition “Red Back Hymnal”.

In the latest prophecy news, California is bracing for a second “atmospheric river” event, set to flood the state with a “firehose” of rain into Christmas, bringing heavy downpours, flooding, washouts, and mudslides. In a significant development from 2020 election news, Georgia officials have now admitted that 315,000 votes lacked the necessary poll worker signatures, a revelation that seemingly vindicates “conspiracy theorists” and President Trump’s previous allegations. On the international front, US envoy Steve Witkoff described recent Ukraine talks in Miami as “productive,” as officials from the US, Europe, and Ukraine work to align their positions, with President Trump pushing for a swift end to the conflict. And finally, controversy surrounds Rutgers University as “Dr. Antifa” Mark Bray is scheduled to teach seminars on “Communism” and “Fascism and Nazism,” while Democrats reportedly fear releasing the autopsy of their party’s “botched” 2024 elections.

Turning now to Jewish history, today, December 24th, marks a few notable events. It’s the birthdate of Servus Sulpicius Galba, an emperor who briefly ruled Rome during the Jewish Revolt that culminated in the destruction of the Second Temple. We also mark the birth of King John of England in 1166 – the brother of Richard the Lionheart, who followed him to the throne in 1199 and became infamous for signing the Magna Carta, which placed limits on royal power. His dealings with the Jewish community were quite complex, as special provisions were often required given their unique position outside the feudal system of the Middle Ages.