Christian scholar Dr. Tim Larsen joins the show to explain the real origins of the Christmas traditions we hold dear today—from Santa Claus and reindeer to ornaments and the December 25th date itself. He debunks the persistent myth that Christmas is a pagan holiday, explores how centuries of tradition shaped modern celebrations, and helps separate historical fact from popular fiction.

And yes—we settle the age-old question: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

Dr. Timothy Larsen is a Professor of History at Wheaton College in Illinois and the president of the American Society of Church History. His scholarly expertise is the Victorian era, the period that has done so much to shape our Christmas celebrations today, and he is an expert on Christmas. He is the author or editor of over twenty books, including Twelve Classic Christmas Stories: A Feast of Yuletide Tales and The Oxford Handbook of Christmas.

The Situation Report for December 20, 2025. Rep. Crenshaw recaps a tragic, volatile week in the U.S. and across the globe: terrorist attacks in multiple countries, the FBI's huge break in the Jan 6 pipe bomber case, the sweeping blockade of Venezuela - among many other developments that have major implications for America's national security. We wish listeners a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and peace in the New Year.

The Venezuela Blockade

The Chevron Complication

President Trump designates fentanyl as a "weapon of mass destruction"

How the FBI finally broke the Jan 6 pipe bomber case

Timeline of the Brown University assassin's rampage

Candace Owens' audience turns on her

ISIS kills 3 Americans in Syria

The Hanukkah massacre at Bondi Beach

Why Dan Crenshaw might finally be getting a TikTok account

The Pine Tree Flag: your latest example of media bias against American symbols

Chile votes conservative in their latest presidential election

Ford pulls the plug on electric trucks

Read of the week: Jacob Savage's "The Lost Generation"

The Situation Report for December 13, 2025. Rep. Dan Crenshaw covers the latest in global conflicts driving U.S. foreign policy — from an escalating showdown with Venezuela, to Ukraine's counter-proposal in talks with Russia, to the Pentagon's push to break China's grip on critical military materials.

U.S. seizes oil tanker off Venezuelan coast

Advice for would-be smugglers

Kyiv makes a peace offer

The U.S. military is getting into the refinery business

War again in South Asia

President Trump's Gold Card Visa

The Fed cuts interest rates

If you read nothing else: "How long Britain could really fight for if war broke out tomorrow" by Frank Gardner