Stepping Up—Again. The Heritage Foundation has named a new president, and one with a connection to The Colson Center.  Kay Coles James has a distinguished 30-year career in and around Washington dating back to the Reagan administration. She was director of the Office of Personnel Management under George W. Bush and served as a senior advisor to Donald Trump during his transition to the White House. James received the Colson Center’s annual Wilberforce Award in 1996. The Colson Center offers James thanks for agreeing to serve once again, and we congratulate Heritage, which, according to many, is the most important conservative think tank in the country, on this outstanding choice.

Sunday Service. Chick-fil-A is famous for its “Closed on Sunday” policy. But last Sunday night, the Atlanta-based business agreed to serve stranded travelers and emergency workers in Atlanta affected by the huge power outage at Hartsfield International Airport. A statement released by Chick-fil-A read: “The mayor called about 10 p.m. and asked for assistance. We immediately mobilized staff and team members who live and work near the airport, and they are making sandwiches and delivering them to the EOC (emergency operations center).” According to WORLD, “The Christian-owned fast-food chain headed up by CEO Dan Cathy is known for observing the Sabbath by closing its restaurants on Sunday, but it also recognizes that sometimes it is called to perform ‘works of necessity and mercy’ on the Lord’s Day.” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed tweeted, “We have provided 2,000 meals so far. Special thank you to Dan Cathy and @ChickfilA for their support.”

Signs of Life. Last week the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill banning abortions of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome. The legislation passed the state house in November and cleared the state senate last week. Gov. John Kasich has indicated he will sign the bill. The new law would prohibit abortions “because an unborn child has or may have Down syndrome.” Abortionists who violate the law would face a felony charge, though the mothers involved would not face prosecution.

Worldview Matters. If you don’t think worldview matters, consider Venezuela. It is, by some measures, one of the richest countries on the planet, with the world’s largest proven oil reserves. So why are its people starving? The answer: a mindless commitment by the country’s dictators to a Marxist/socialist ideology. For a powerful account of Venezuela’s suffering, and the reasons why, please read this in-depth look from the photographers and writers of The New York Times.

Stories of the Year. The rise of “Trumpvangelicals” is the top religion story of 2017, according to a poll of religion news writers by Religion News Service. Trump was also the top religion newsmaker of the year, beating out Pope Francis, Martin Luther, and Roy Moore. WORLD magazine does not pick a top story in its “News of the Year” special feature, but President Trump was prominent in its coverage, too. Other stories that merit year-end notice: North Korea’s advancing nuclear weapons program, Hurricane Irma and other Atlantic storms that affected the U.S., the London terror attacks, the Las Vegas shooting, and the slaughter of 26 people at a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

 Milestones. On December 16, 1944, the Battle of the Bulge began. It lasted until January 25, 1945, and was the last full-scale battle of World War II in the European theatre, effectively destroying the German Luftwaffe. Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945…. On this day in 1998, President Bill Clinton was impeached…. Twenty years ago today the movie “Titanic” opened. It went on to become the second-greatest hit of all time (behind “Avatar”), grossing more than $2 billion at the box office.

 Image: Chas Geer/The Heritage Foundation

Warren Cole Smith is an investigative journalist and author as well as the Colson Center vice- president for mission advancement.