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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The EU Could Be Gone in Four Years: A Revolutionary Eruption Is Coming – We often hear comparisons to the 1930s, to Munich, to 1938. But this is the wrong history book. If you want to understand Europe’s current predicament, look instead to France in 1788 or Russia in 1917.
https://hotair.com/headlines/2025/12/26/the-eu-could-be-gone-in-four-years-a-revolutionary-eruption-is-coming-n3810209

"Obscure" Bible verse ranks in top spot for 4th time in 6 years – '[Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.] Keeps rising to the top because it addresses one of our deepest needs, the assurance that we're not alone'
https://www.wnd.com/2025/12/that-message-never-gets-old-obscure-bible-verse/

Poll: Young Protestants Are Officially Outnumbered by the 'Nones' – There are more young people in America who identify as religious “nones” than young people who identify as Protestants. Based on a new analysis from their 2023-2024 Religious Landscape Study, Pew Research Center noted that for every eight “religiously unaffiliated” people between the ages of 18 and 29, there are only five who identify with some form of Protestantism.
https://www.westernjournal.com/poll-young-protestants-officially-outnumbered-nones/

Germany's empty churches repurposed as congregations shrink – The number of church members in Germany is falling rapidly. In 2024 alone, the two major churches lost over a million Christians due to people leaving the church or dying. Currently, more than 45% of Germans still belong to either the Protestant Church in Germany or the Catholic Church. Thirty years ago, that figure stood at almost 69%. This is why churches are now being deconsecrated or desacralized. Since 2000, hundreds of Catholic and Protestant churches were decommissioned. In response to a DW inquiry, the German Bishops’ Conference informed of the closing and decommissioning of 611 Catholic churches between 2000 and 2024. The Protestant Church estimates that some 300 to 350 churches were permanently shut in the same period; more precise figures are not available.
https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-empty-churches-repurposed-as-congregations-shrink/a-75227388

[Biblical Archaeological Review] Top Ten Biblical Archaeology Stories of 2025 – What were the top ten biblical archaeology stories of 2025? As the year winds down, we look back at some of the most popular news stories published on Bible History Daily in 2025. From newly identified temples in Jerusalem to discoveries about Egyptian pharaohs, this year provided some incredible archaeological news.
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/archaeology-today/top-ten-biblical-archaeology-stories-of-2025/

U.S. murders on pace for largest one-year DROP on record – The U.S. is on pace for the largest one-year drop in murders the nation has ever recorded, according to an analysis by crime stats expert Jeff Asher. The big picture: The decline in killings is part of a broader decrease in violent crime following the COVID-era spike. Mass killings in the U.S. also fell in 2025... [rest of article requires free subscription]
https://www.axios.com/2025/12/24/us-trump-murder-data-killing-crime-national-guard

Ghana’s Komba people receive complete Bible that could help preserve language from extinction – Ghana's Komba people received their complete Bible after 16 years of dedicated translation work. The Komba people live in Ghana's northeast region.
https://www.christianpost.com/news/ghanas-komba-people-receive-complete-bible-translation.html

China social media thrashes one-child policy after population control czar dies – The death of a former head of China’s one-child policy has been met not with tributes but by castigation of the abandoned policy on social media this week. State media praised Ms Peng Peiyun, head of China’s Family Planning Commission from 1988 to 1998, as “an outstanding leader” in her work related to women and children. The reaction on China’s social media to Ms Peng’s death in Beijing on Dec 21, just shy of her 96th birthday, was less positive. China’s near-universal mandate of just one child per couple from 1980 through 2015 prompted local officials to compel women to undergo abortions and sterilisations.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-social-media-thrashes-one-child-policy-after-population-control-czar-dies

Record school spending fails to reverse fall in test scores – As national education spending per pupil rises, student enrollment is dropping and test scores across the United States are falling, which raises concern over how effectively taxpayer dollars are being used in public schools. Since 2002, K-12 public school spending has increased by more than 35%, yet enrollment has dropped 2.1%, which is over a million students over the past five years. Student achievement has also declined, with only one-third of students nationwide scoring at or above the proficient level on the National Assessment of Educational Progress in reading, according to the National Assessment Governing Board. Currently, 40% of fourth graders are working below the NAEP basic level in reading, the highest percentage since 2002.
https://www.wnd.com/2025/12/continued-declines-record-school-spending-fails-reverse-fall/

Why an After-Dinner Walk Is So Good for You – After you’ve cleared the final dinner dishes, it’s easy to plop down on the couch to decompress. But health experts say you should adopt a different habit instead: taking a walk. An easy stroll (just 10-20 minutes) can make a big difference in how your body regulates blood sugar, digests food, and even in your overall mental health. Here's why the simple habit is a worthy spot in your routine.
https://health.yahoo.com/wellness/fitness/exercise/articles/why-dinner-walk-good-according-210000221.html