Below are this week's Articles of Interest as compiled by Mr. Van Baker. This collection of articles is cultivated by Mr. Baker with the goal of highlighting some of the trends, upheavals, and things to watch for in our society. These articles are not necessarily the express views of the United Church of God, Mr. Baker, or me as the pastor, but they are informative of what is occurring in our nation and culture. In accordance with Christ's warning to correctly discern the times (Matthew 16:1-4), it is wise to be aware of what is going on around us. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For millions, Christmas is the most dangerous time of the year – History shows that Christmas Day is a favored target for those intent on harming Christians. [the article is very pro-Christmas] 
https://www.christianpost.com/voices/for-millions-christmas-is-the-most-dangerous-time-of-the-year.html

The Jewish Claim to Israel – The evidence is abundant showing a nearly continuous Jewish presence in the Holy Land since ancient days and linking modern Jews and ancient Israelites.
https://breakpoint.org/the-jewish-claim-to-israel/

The Health Benefits of Gratitude – We are reminded throughout thousands of years of Holy Scripture of the importance of giving thanks for our spiritual well-being. Now, doctors also recommend developing a deep sense of gratitude because of the health benefits. Research overwhelmingly shows an attitude of gratitude is good for our health, both mentally and physically, primarily because it reduces stress, the so-called "silent killer."
https://cbn.com/news/health/battling-silent-killer-health-benefits-gratitude-and-how-achieve-them

Canada Euthanized a Record 16.4K People Last Year – This report details 22,535 reports of MAiD requests that Health Canada received in 2024. A total of 16,499 people "received" MAiD; the remaining cases were requests that did not result in a MAiD provision (4,017 died of another cause, 1,327 individuals were deemed ineligible and 692 individuals withdrew their request).
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2025/12/02/canada-euthanized-record-164k-people-last-year-n4946621

The Evidence Shows ‘Junk DNA’ is a Myth – Odds are good you have been told or taught that 98 percent of the DNA in your body is useless because it doesn’t appear to have any discernible function. But, as the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture contends, the latest research points to a conclusion that at least 80 percent and maybe the whole bunch of it is anything but "junk."
https://www.hillfaith.org/consider-this/consider-this-no-the-encode-evidence-shows-junk-dna-is-a-myth/

Harvard report warns of ‘damaging’ grade inflation, 60% of grades are A’s – Harvard University’s Office of Undergraduate Education is raising concerns about mounting grade inflation, reporting that the school’s grading system is “damaging the academic culture of the College.” The office sent a 25-page report to faculty and students, stating that 60 percent of all undergraduate grades are now A’s. Veronica Bryant, academic affairs fellow at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, told The Fix that if Harvard allows grade inflation to skyrocket, the problem will worsen at other schools. “‘As goes Harvard, so goes the nation’ is a phrase for a reason. If other schools see America’s oldest and most prestigious university as weakening standards, why should they keep high standards, especially as they compete for fewer and fewer students?” she said.
https://www.thecollegefix.com/harvard-report-warns-of-damaging-grade-inflation-60-of-grades-are-as/

[England] Jury trials scrapped for crimes with sentences of less than three years – Jury trials in England and Wales for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three years will be scrapped, the justice secretary has announced. The reforms to the justice system include creating "swift courts" under the government's plan to tackle unprecedented delays in the court system. Serious offences including murder, robbery and rape will still go before a jury, and volunteer community magistrates, who deal with the majority of all criminal cases, will take on even more work. [Justice Secretary] David Lammy said the reforms were "bold" but "necessary", but Conservatives described the plans as the "beginning of the end of jury trials".
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5lxg2l0lqo

Experts Warn Parents that AI Christmas Toys Put Kids at Risk – As parents scurry to complete Christmas shopping this year, children's and consumer advocacy groups are warning they should avoid artificial intelligence toys, citing safety concerns. Fairplay, a nonprofit children's safety organization, issued an advisory last month urging gift givers to avoid buying AI toys for children this holiday season. The group says that the toys, which can be found in a range of plushies, dolls, action figures, and kids' robots, are generally powered by an AI model and have been shown to harm children and teenagers. "The serious harms that AI chatbots have inflicted on children are well-documented, including fostering obsessive use, having explicit sexual conversations, and encouraging unsafe behaviors, violence against others, and self-harm," Fairplay said.
https://cbn.com/news/us/trouble-toyland-experts-warn-parents-ai-christmas-toys-put-kids-risk

Lost Rubens painting of Jesus’ crucifixion auctioned for $2.7M, 400 years after it vanished – A painting depicting Jesus’ crucifixion rendered by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens sold for nearly $3 million at an auction in Versailles Sunday after it was hidden for nearly four centuries. The masterpiece was only recently uncovered in a private townhouse in Paris, just over 400 years since it was finished. Rubens is best known for his other depictions of Jesus, namely “Christ on the Cross,” which shows the full scene of the crucifixion, complete with the two thieves flanking Jesus. 
https://nypost.com/2025/11/30/world-news/lost-rubens-painting-of-jesus-crucifixion-auctioned-for-2-7m-400-years-after-it-vanished/

Gene editing of the unborn, terrifying new biotech frontier – The founder of ChatGPT, Sam Altman, has joined a clutch of tech billionaires contributing to the $30 million funding of a biotechnology business called Preventive which aims to ‘correct' devastating genetic conditions for 'future children’. The US company has plans to edit the DNA of babies before they are born, a process known as human germline genetic engineering, which is banned in 70 countries.
https://www.conservativewoman.co.uk/gene-editing-of-the-unborn-a-terrifying-new-biotech-frontier/