Merry Christmas all you world listeners. I'm World Senior

writer Kim Henderson. You know, you're my people, this community that wants biblically objective journalism. Confession here,

I haven't donated to our December Giving Drive yet. Yeah, all the excuses, but I'm fixing that right now.

Join me at WNG.org slash donate.

And I hope you enjoy today's program.

Good morning.

Hope Francis approves blessings for same sexsex marriage, or does he?

We'll talk with Reformed theologian Stephen Nichols on that.

Also today, getting the kids to sleep are melatonin supplements the right thing. And a trip to a farm to meet some

reindeer and their keepers. They'll lay right out there on the snow and they'll see

like a puff of snow into some antlers sticking out. And a book on the time of

unrest prior to Israel's independence. It's Tuesday, December 19th. This is the world and everything in it from listeners supported world radio.

I'm Mary Reicher and I'm Nick Eicker. Good morning.

Up next, Kent Covington with today's news.

It's going to be back in Israel, even in these difficult days,

especially in these difficult days.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin heard there on a joint news conference with his Israeli counterpart on Monday.

Austin again reaffirmed what he called America's ironclad support for Israel's mission to eradicate Hamas and

prevent another terrorist attack by the group, but he also said talks have centered on how

to reduce harm to civilians in Gaza.

We also have some great thoughts about how to transition from high intensity operations

to lower intensity and more surgical operations.

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