Jan 3 - Venus and the Moon getting close to a planet is one of the easiest astronomical events to observe: the lunar disc and most of the planets (e.g. Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn) are visible to the naked eye, so you don’t need any special skills or complex equipment.
Strangely, a terrorist attack which took place early this morning in New Orleans, LA, saw the driver of a pick-up truck intentionally ram through crowds of people on historic Bourbon Street, in the French Quarter of New Orleans. That truck was a Ford, model F-150"Lightning" truck!
The Ford F-150 Lightning truck used in the attack was apparently rented through the Turo app -- a car sharing company, according to Rodrigo Diaz, the owner of the truck. Diaz told ABC News he rented the truck to an individual through the app and is currently talking to the FBI.
Las Vegas Trump Hotel explosion with Tesla electric truck!!
I am the door. If anyone enters in by Me, he will be saved,
and will go in and will go out and will find pasture.
John 10:9
John 14:6 - Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Catholic Jubilee Year / Doors Opening [Also, Notre Dame reopening] Jubilee’s theme: Spes non Confundit — Hope Does Not Disappoint.
On Jan. 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Francis will also open the Holy Door of St. Mary Major Basilica.
The last door to open will be that of the fourth main basilica of the Eternal City, St. Paul Outside the Walls, on Jan. 5.
These latter will close on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, while the jubilee will officially conclude on Jan. 6, 2026, with the closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Jimmy Carter - James Earl Carter Jr. (October 1, 1924 – December 29, 2024) died at his home in Plains, Georgia at the age of 100.
Did Jimmy Carter Warn Us - Reflecting on a pivotal speech from the 1970s, we delve into whether Carter’s words were a forewarning of the challenges we face today. Was he a prophet who saw the future, or did his warnings go unheeded?
January 4-6 - travel to Georgia’s State Capitol - ceremony, lie in repose
January 7 - funeral procession up to the U.S. Capitol at 2 p.m. Upon arrival at the U.S. Capitol, the late president is carried by military body bearers into the Rotunda where members of Congress will pay their respects during a service at 3 p.m. Carter will then lie in state while the military maintains a guard of honor. The public is invited to pay their respects as he lies in state from 7 p.m. to midnight.
January 9 - official state funeral at Washington National Cathedral https://cathedral.org,
and a day of mourning Carter and his family then travel by motorcade to Maranatha Baptist Church, Plains, Georgia, arriving at 3:30 p.m., followed by a private funeral service at 3:45 p.m.
Jan 5 - The last door to open will be that of the fourth main basilica of the Eternal City, St. Paul Outside the Walls
Your faithfulness continues through all generations ~ Psalm 119:90 Hebrew: דּוֹר - dor: Generation, age, period (Strong's 1755) Same God - O Rock O Rock of ages I’m standing on Your faithfulness
Dec 15 - Full Moon - After 19 years, a 'major lunar standstill' is happening tonight. Let us explain. The term is borrowed from the word and concept of solstice — which means "sun still" in ancient parlance. The moon will reach the most northern-northern-northern point it could go in the sky tonight — the first time in almost 19 years. It's extra cool because it's also going to be a full moon.
On Kislev 15, 168 BCE, Antiochus Epiphanes erected a statue of Zeus, but with his own face, on top of the holy altar in the Temple. Ten days later, on Kislev 25, the birthday of Zeus.
Revealing keys to the Holy Door - In preparation for the opening on Christmas Eve of the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica, a brief ritual and prayer service were held late Dec. 2.
Dec 7 - Archbishop knocks on doors of Notre Dame at reopening ceremony
With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a staff carved from fire-scorched beams, Paris' Notre Dame cathedral roared back to life Saturday evening.
Dec 6 & 7 - Jupiter will be in opposition on Saturday, December 7, which means that it is directly opposite from the sun as seen from Earth. This happens every 13 months. In addition, Jupiter is at its closest to Earth just one day earlier, on Friday, December 6. Jupiter will appear to rise in the east of the sky just as the sun is setting, and will be visible roughly directly overhead at around midnight.
Their long and muscular handshakes -- which saw each man seek to assert his superiority -- became a light-hearted focus of attention before ties cooled, then soured, following disputes about climate change, trade and defence.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian president Vladimir Zelenskyy met with President-Elect Donald Trump at the Elysee Palace on December 7, 2024 in Paris.
The Crown of Thorns is considered one of the most precious relics of Notre Dame. Brought to Paris from the Holy Land in 1263 by Saint Louis, firefighters managed to save it on the night of the fire, though its glass case was broken in the process. A new reliquary has been designed by French artist Sylvain Dubuisson. Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
The Archdiocese of Paris commissions famed designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac to create the liturgical vestments for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral on December 7 and 8.
For this extensive commission, funded by art and craft houses, the archdiocese turned to Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, who previously designed the vestments for the 1997 World Youth Day in Paris. The designer is also well-known for his collaboration with pop stars, such as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé or Katy Perry. Castelbajac drew inspiration from the choir cross of Notre Dame, created by Marc Couturier, which stood resilient after the 2019 fire. “I had never used gold in my work before,” he explained. “For these vestments, I wanted to bring the cross to the forefront as a beacon, a landmark, a standard.” The golden cross features prominently on chasubles, bishops' miters, and stoles. The vibrant colors symbolize “the rebirth of Notre Dame.” The special events will begin on December 8 and run until June 8, 2025, the Solemnity of Pentecost.
During the rite of the opening of the doors, the Archbishop struck the closed door of Notre-Dame with his staff. The cathedral "responded" with the singing of Psalm 121, three times. On the third time, the doors opened.
Dec 7 & 8 - Reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral Since the fire on April 15, 2019, the Cathedral has been closed to the public It will reopen its doors on December 7 and 8, 2024 A place of faith and welcome for over 860 years. https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en
December 7th: This evening will be the official handover by President Macron of the cathedral, property of the French state, to the Catholic Church, which is its assignee. The Archbishop of Paris will symbolically “knock” on the cathedral’s massive central door with his crozier (staff) to open it. The cathedral will then be inaugurated with the first notes from the restored organ, a liturgical celebration with blessing, a Magnificat or Te Deum, and a Vespers to close this historic day. This ceremony inside is open only by invitation, but there will also be entertainment in the square outside open to the public (space permitting), with rumors of big names like Paul McCartney.
Notre-Dame is officially reopening more than five years after it was badly damaged in a fire US President-elect Donald Trump and the Prince of Wales will be among those in Paris this evening for a ceremony marking the event We got our first look inside the cathedral since the refurbishment was completed when French President Emmanuel Macron toured the site last week Macron is due to speak outside the cathedral this evening before the doors are opened and a ceremony is held inside, followed by a concert https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/donald-trump-and-prince-william-in-paris-for-notre-dame-reopening-ceremony/ar-AA1vrCTt
Octave of Celebrations (December 8th – 15th): Notre-Dame will host a series of daily celebrations this week almost entirely reserved for those with invitations, but will have special evening opening hours for the general public. Here are some highlights:
December 8th: Today will be the celebration of the first Mass in the restored cathedral and consecration of the new altar at 10:30am. The date symbolically coincides with the second Sunday in the Advent calendar, and the day preceding the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. These first ceremonies are reserved for invited heads of state, the armies of officials, the stonemasons and carpenters, the delegations of Parisian parishioners, the 170 bishops from France and around the world expected, the reporters from all over the planet, and the beneficiaries of charitable associations. However, there will also be large screens set up outside the cathedral (the same used during the Olympics) so that people on the square and the riverbanks will be able to watch the ceremony. It will also be broadcast live on France TV (usually only accessible if you’re in France, but likely to be licensed to international channels). Then the cathedral will open to the general public exceptionally for the first “Nocturne” evening visits from 5:30pm-10pm (reserve through the app, or wait in line, space permitting), with the first public mass at 6:30pm. December 9th: Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, an important Catholic holiday paying tribute to the Virgin Mary (Notre Dame translates to “Our Lady”).
On December 8, 2024, armed rebels took the Syrian city of Damascus, forcing long-time ruler President Bashar al-Assad to flee the country. The move comes after 13 years of civil war and brings the iron-clad rule of the Assad regime effectively to a close. Below, Brookings experts break down what this all means, what happens now, and the questions that remain.
Syria’s jubilation resonates with Iraqis Of all people, Iraqis understand the jubilation of Syrians today at the toppling of the brutal and decades-long Assad dictatorship. Similar scenes, though with the backdrop of occupation, played out across Iraq over two decades ago when another brutal Baathist dictator, Saddam Hussein, was deposed. At the same time, Iraqis are cautious of what may happen next, as the face of the armed Syrian opposition today is a man who had engaged in terrorism in Iraq as a member of al-Qaida and, later, the Islamic State.
How Assad’s fall will affect Russia’s military in Africa - BBC Africa
https://youtu.be/ypkLm0_v5Ig
Friday, December 13 - ‘Crown of Thorns’ returns to Notre Dame Cathedral for public veneration. The crown — a circular band of branches encased in a gilded golden tube — was brought back to its historic home in a ceremony presided over by the archbishop of Paris and attended by knights and dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, marking a key moment in the cathedral’s restoration journey. The relic was first mentioned by Jerusalem pilgrims in the 5th century before being transferred to Constantinople in the 10th century. In 1239, it was acquired by King Louis IX of France, who brought it to Paris and housed it at Notre Dame before commissioning the Sainte-Chapelle for its safekeeping. It was later returned to Notre Dame.
Starting Jan. 10, the Crown of Thorns will be displayed for public veneration every Friday until April 18, culminating on Good Friday. Afterward, it will be shown on the first Friday of each month.
Bernard Arnault, the lowkey billionaire behind luxury powerhouse LVMH and a key Notre Dame donor who regularly tops the list of the world’s richest men, was at the center of the celebration. He was surrounded by his family, the French president, the archbishop and clergy, and the unmistakable symbols of his luxury empire’s influence, including its brands Louis Vuitton and Dior. France's first lady Brigitte Macron and her U.S. counterpart, Jill Biden, both had Lady Dior handbags. Louis Vuitton artistic director Pharrell Williams performed kitted out in Louis Vuitton. South African soprano Pretty Yende also contributed with a rendition of “Amazing Grace” while wearing a Dior gown adorned with 110 carats of diamonds.
Welcome to the “inauguration of the LVMH arena,” commented television journalist Yann Barthès about the cathedral ceremony.
LVMH has enjoyed unprecedented visibility in France in 2024, especially as a high-profile sponsor of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Friday, December 13 - 99th birthday of Dick Van Dyke
Dick Van Dyke says he’s not afraid of dying: ‘I could go any day now’
He stars in a new music video from Coldplay, as he prepares to celebrate his 99th birthday. The clip for “All My Love” was filmed at the Mary Poppins star’s beachside home in Malibu, and follows him as he reflects on life and aging. “I’m acutely aware that I could go any day now,” Van Dyke says, “but I don’t know why it doesn’t concern me. I’m not afraid of it. I have the feeling that I’m gonna be alright.”
‘Light and Peace’ - New museum in UAE offers free entry for limited time Attraction at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi houses rare relics, immersive display
December 21, 1977 - France's Emmanuel Macron birthday
Dec. 22 - 2 US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, US military says
Both pilots were recovered alive after ejecting from their stricken aircraft, with one suffering minor injuries.
From the military's description, the aircraft shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the "Red Rippers" of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. It wasn't immediately clear how the Gettysburg could mistake an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, particularly as ships in a battle group remain linked by both radar and radio communication.
(UPI) -- Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, better known as the Houthis, has taken credit for downing an American military plane
after the U.S. Central Command claimed it was shot in a friendly fire incident. Two pilots with the U.S. Navy ejected from a fighter jet flying off from the USS Harry S. Truman over the Red Sea on Sunday when the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg "mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18," NBC News reported citing a Central Command statement.
Some translators of the biblical book of Deuteronomy translate Pisgah (Hebrew: פִּסְגָּה) as a name of a mountain, usually referring to Mount Nebo. The word פִּסְגָּה literally means "summit".
Revelation 2:1 - “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand
and walks among the seven golden lampstands.
Revelation 3:6; 4:1
On the one hand, Hanukkah celebrates the fight of the Hasmoneans against the local (Jewish) assimilating Hellenists – and then military victory against the Seleucid Empire that came to the Hellenists’ aid. This was the Jewish nation’s first military victory in many centuries – a sure cause for celebration and future commemoration. Then why did the Rabbis in the 2nd century CE try their best to downplay – even eliminate – any vestige of this military triumph? First, in setting the final parameters of all the books that would be included in the Bible they amazingly left out the Book of Maccabees (actually two separate books).
Moreover, the holiday’s main ritual (lighting the candles) was designed to
focus on the miracle of the 8-day lighting in the Temple with only one day’s worth of olive oil.
Hanukkah starts on the 25th of Kislev, a month in the Hebrew calendar that usually falls within November or December. Also known as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication, the holiday celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean revolt against the Syrian-Greek army. The holiday takes place for eight nights and days, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple.
For Catholics around the world, the Holy Doors represent the most visually significant symbol of the Rome Jubilee. The opening and closing ceremonies are a highlight in this year of forgiveness, and passing through these holy portals is a vital part of the pilgrimage. Today, you can find the Holy Doors at St Peter's Basilica, San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore, and Saint Paul's Outside the Walls.
On Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. Rome local time, Pope Francis will open the first and most important of them, that of St. Peter’s Basilica, beginning the Jubilee of Hope 2025, in which 30 million people are expected to participate. Later that evening he will celebrate Christmas Mass, the Nativity of Our Lord.
Dec. 26, the day after Christmas, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door in the Rebibbia prison in Our Father church. Pope Francis is also opening a fifth Holy Door this Year in a local Roman prison, Rebbibia, which will open on December 26th, the Feast of St Stephen, the proto-martyr. This door will not be open to the general public.
Sunday, Dec. 29, the Holy Door of Rome’s cathedral, St. John Lateran Basilica, will open, which on Nov. 9 celebrated the 1,700th anniversary of its dedication.
An Apostolic Message from Damascus "We Syrian Christians are the original people of Syria and we will stay here in our ancient homeland", said the Patriarch.
Short clip in Western Syriac, a dialect of old Aramaic which was the language of Jesus the Christ, and the original language of Syria. If you listen carefully to the audio while reading the English text on screen, every time you see "God" you will distinctly hear "Yehovah"! The Patriarch of the Orthodox Church in Damascus recently gave a sermon discussing the history of Christianity in Syria and the roots of the Church in that area of the world.
Dec 25 - Christians In Damascus Celebrate Christmas Eve Amidst Tensions
Christians in Damascus marked Christmas Eve with a mass at the Lady of Damascus church, the first major Christian event since President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. The church was heavily secured by military and civil defense personnel. Tensions rose in the wake of protests against the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama, with Syrian church leaders urging limited celebrations due to recent attacks on Christian symbols.
Dec 26 - Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen airport where U.N.'s WHO chief was about to board plane
Moment of Israeli strike on Sanaa airport tower - Footage shown on Yemen's Al Masirah TV showed the moment an airport tower was hit by an Israeli strike on Thursday (December 26), during a series of attacks on the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
Beneath layers of history in the Vatican City lies the tomb of Saint Peter, the apostle. Explore its fascinating story and the groundbreaking AI technology that's making its legacy more accessible than ever.
Dec 25 - Erdogan’s Son Organizing Massive Rally to Push Designs on Jerusalem Jan 1 event’s banner states, ‘Yesterday Hagia Sophia, today the Umayyad Mosque, tomorrow Al-Aqsa’
Feb 25, 2016 - Microsoft's Nadella in Israel to mark 25-year cooperation
Company's CEO meets PM Netanyahu ahead of Think Next conference.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Nadella that Microsoft and the state of Israel “should now chart the next 25 years.” Netanyahu said, “Israel is a center of great technological innovation; Microsoft is a great technological company. It’s a marriage made in heaven, but recognized here on earth.”
Microsoft was first established in Israel in 1989 as one of the few outposts abroad fully owned and operated by the US company. Two years later, the company officially launched its first R&D center in Haifa and today has activities in both Herzliya and Haifa, with sales and marketing in Ra’anana.
Sriram Krishnan's appointment as Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence has sparked a fierce cultural and political debate within the MAGA movement. While President-elect Donald Trump's pick highlights his ongoing outreach to Indian-Americans, far-right critics see it as a betrayal of the "America First" agenda.
Dec 29 - President Jimmy Carter died Sunday at the age of 100.
Two public observances will be held and he will receive the full honors of a state funeral in the nation’s capital. Carter, who was the longest-living former American president, died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday according to his family. The last time a Democratic president died was in 1973 when Lyndon Baines Johnson passed away at the age of 64, just a few years after leaving office. The nation will now see the first funeral for a Democratic president in more than 50 years. Carter is likely to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda eight or so days after his death. The last president to lie in state was the late President George HW Bush in December 2018.
Jimmy Carter, the earnest Georgia peanut farmer who as U.S. president struggled with a bad economy and the Iran hostage crisis but brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, died at his home in Plains, Georgia,
On Jan. 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Francis will also open the Holy Door of St. Mary Major Basilica. The last door to open will be that of the fourth main basilica of the Eternal City, St. Paul Outside the Walls, on Jan. 5.
These latter will close on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, while the jubilee will officially conclude on Jan. 6, 2026, with the closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.
I am thrilled to share this new project with you. May it be a blessing to you and yours as you pray and read through God's Word.
Monthly Prayer Calendar Praying for ourselves and others
Great and Mighty Father,
We praise you for your word that we can read, meditate on, pray, and keep in our hearts. May you guide our thoughts and spoken words to bring life to ourselves and others. We want your life released to energize, encourage, and strengthen all who read and hear your word.
May it be so. In Jesus’ glorious name we pray. John 6:63
Shareable links to download and print in link below.
"We Syrian Christians are the original people of Syria and we will stay here in our ancient homeland", said the Patriarch.