CHRISTIAN SCHOOL RE-OPENS IN IRAQ
According to World Watch Monitor, the re-opening of the oldest Christian school in Mosul, a northern Iraqi city once controlled by IS, is ‘a victory over terrorism and extremism.’ The primary school was closed for four years, but now has 400 students aged between 6 and 12.

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS
Inspire Magazine reports that Christians in the UK are being encouraged to prepare spiritually for Christmas with free daily Bible readings throughout Advent. Each day the Bible readings Fresh From The Word can be received by email together with commentary.

PAINTING DEPICTS CHRIST’S BAPTISM
Archeologists have discovered a 1,500-year-old painting of Jesus they say is the oldest known depiction in Israel of Christ being baptized.   Christianheadlines.com states that the painting was found inside a church in the Negev Desert of southern Israel and dates to the Byzantine empire. The church was located in the village of Shivta. Archaeologists believe it was painted in the 500s.

CHRISTIANS RESPOND TO POVERTY
According to Christian Today, four out of five Christians (87 per cent) have taken action on poverty in the past year – a far higher proportion than the general population – according to a poll of 2,958 UK adults by Barna Group for Christian relief and development agency Tearfund. The research shows that Christians are more likely to donate to charity and to give food, clothing, furniture or other resources to someone in need.

AGGRESSION IN NEPAL AND INDIA
ChristianHeadlines.com reports that a policeman in Nepal was reprimanded and punished last month for talking about his faith in Christ at a public, multi-faith religious gathering. And Morning Star News states that Christian leaders in India continue to be concerned about acts of aggression against Christians in that country.

MICHAEL BUBLE GRATEFUL TO GOD
Several news outlets have reported that Canadian singer Michael Buble and his family rallied together to support his young son last year, while he battled cancer. During a recent tv appearance the singer tearfully shared that Jesus Christ deserves the credit for his son’s cancer remission. Buble’s wife, Luisana, has also credited God for her family’s strength.