Month: December 2025

1. Jewish World: What is Hanukkah?
2. A Star in the Sky: Worshiping Jesus with Arabic Christmas Carols
3. Yemen: Muslim Becomes Christian After Journey to Mecca
4. Morocco: Christmas Gifts Open Gospel Doors in Mountain Villages
5. The Hardest of the Hard Places: Breakthroughs in Bible Translation

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Source: Various

If you only have a few minutes to learn about Hanukkah (or Chanukah), read Understanding Your Jewish Neighbor: Hanukkah (part of a series from the Lausanne Movement), scroll through a roundup on the holiday from 1440, or watch this engaging four-minute video (also below) from a Jewish nonprofit media studio, BimBam. 

If you have the time and interest, read an opinion piece making the case that Jews need a new story of Hanukkah or risk losing next Jewish generation to disillusionment (Jerusalem Post).

We are also praying for those impacted by Sunday’s shooting in Australia, which targeted a group celebrating the first day of Hanukkah. You can find news and opinions on many channels, but if you don’t know where to start, see Bondi Beach Shooting Live Updates (ABC Australia) and watch a six-minute commentary on why the Bondi Hanukkah shooting is particularly vile (from a source called Leviticus Is Fun).

Consider praying the Mourner’s Kaddish in English which encourages those who mourn to look up and affirm God’s goodness (Hebrew for Christians).

Source: Arab Vision, December 11, 2025

Last week, we recorded more than 70 Christmas and worship songs. With unique Arabic music, we celebrate the love, peace, and salvation of Christ. The songs will be broadcast on satellite television and numerous social media platforms. We believe that music is the ultimate means of getting to know Jesus. We are eager to share this with everyone throughout the Arab world.

The full story includes a one-minute teaser video; also below.

Source: Back to Jerusalem, December 7, 2025

Raised in a devout Muslim family [in Yemen], John Ghanim embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca which left him feeling the lack of meaning in Islam. He later became a refugee in Greece where someone shared Jesus with him, eventually leading him to Christ.

Since John’s public declaration of Christ, his life has been in danger, which unfortunately is very common for any Muslim who coverts to Christianity. In Yemen, conversion is against the law and punishable by death.

Despite these challenges, John has become a prominent Christian influencer and evangelist on social media, sharing his testimony and advocating for religious freedom.

Read the short article and watch John tell his story.

Speaking of Mecca, read or listen to a report about Saudi Arabia from INcontext International. It, too, includes a short video. See below.

Source: Mission Network News, December 12, 2025

In the mountains of Morocco, children recently received warm clothing from a Christian ministry leader. But the real gift wasn’t something they could wear—it was the first glimmer of a story they had never heard.

When the [ministry leader] shared the Christmas message of Jesus with kids and their families, they asked him to come back.

“They want to know more about this Jesus,” [said Patrick Anthony of FMI]. “The children asked him, ‘Well, who is this Messiah? Is he Santa Claus?’

Read the full story with commentary and prayer points.

See also A Persecuted Christian Discovers the Joy of Christmas in India (Global Christian Relief).

Source: Wycliffe Bible Translators, December 5, 2025

Home to more than 840 languages, Papua New Guinea has always stood out as one of the most linguistically diverse—and most challenging—places for Bible translation. But now the nation is on the verge of a historic milestone: Only 111 languages still need Scripture [translation] to begin.

This remarkable progress is the result of decades of prayer and the faithful obedience of local churches and determined translation partners who said, “We want God’s Word in our own language—and we’re willing to help make it happen.”

East Asia remains one of the toughest regions for translation; yet God is clearly at work. Local pastors and church leaders are receiving training—sometimes across borders and often online—to guide new translation efforts.

Technology, including emerging AI, is opening new doors for collaboration and learning. Though the path ahead isn’t always clear, we’re walking through every door God opens, trusting Him to show us the way forward.

Just a year ago, Indonesia had 159 languages waiting for translation to start. Now that number is down to 53. Of these languages, 26 are considered the most challenging; yet work has already begun for several of them. Local churches, field partners and other organizations are uniting to see every community receive God’s Word. Despite political sensitivities and religious complexities, people’s hearts are opening and momentum is building.

Read the full article, Beyond Vision 2025: Until All Have Encountered Jesus. Pray for Bible translators. Today, the vast majority of them are indigenous.