memeorandum: My husband lost his job. His sister was murdered. Here's what it did to my faith. (Elizabeth Bruenig/Washington Post)

5:40 PM ET, December 25, 2016

Top Items:

RNC Message Celebrating Christmas — WASHINGTON - Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chair Sharon Day released the following statement celebrating Christmas: — “Merry Christmas to all! Over two millennia ago, a new hope was born into the world …

Discussion: Jezebel, AOL, Hullabaloo, CNBC, Raw Story, CNN and Mediaite

David Mack / BuzzFeed:

People Are Arguing About Whether Republicans Just Compared Trump To Jesus — On Sunday, Republican National Committee chairman (and incoming White House chief of staff) Reince Priebus released a message to celebrate Christmas. — You can read the full statement here …

Rebecca Savransky / The Hill:

Social media erupts over GOP statement about ‘new King’ — A Christmas statement released Sunday by the Republican National Committee (RNC) drew outrage among opponents on Twitter who objected to talk of a “new King.” — “Over two millennia ago, a new hope was born into the world …

Discussion: Raw Story and RedState

Alex Isenstadt / Politico:

Trump pick backs out of White House job after affair allegations — Donald Trump's newly tapped White House communications director, Jason Miller, backed out of the job following claims that he had an affair with another transition official, according to three sources close to the Trump transition.

more at Mediagazer »

Rich Schapiro / New York Daily News:

Jason Miller quits as newly named White House communications director after Trump staffer hints at sex scandal — Donald Trump's inner circle was thrown into turmoil Saturday when his newly-named White House communications director resigned after a transition team staffer posted cryptic tweets suggesting he's a philanderer.

Discussion: Raw Story and Mediaite

Alex Griswold / Mediaite:

Trump Advisor A.J. Delgado Hints at Comms Director Jason Miller Sex Scandal, Deletes Twitter Account (UPDATED) — Donald Trump transition team advisor (and former Mediaite columnist) A.J. Delgado deleted her account Saturday after a series of cryptic tweets about recently departed communications director Jason Miller.

Discussion: Daily Mail and Washington Post

Alex Isenstadt / Politico:
Jason Miller backs out of Trump White House job

Discussion: Mediaite, twitchy.com, Business Insider, Little Green Footballs and RedState, more at Mediagazer »

CNN:

Israel summons US ambassador as Netanyahu hits out at Obama — Jerusalem (CNN)Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned the US ambassador and launched a scathing attack Sunday on the Obama administration after its refusal to veto a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israel's settlements in the West Bank.

Discussion: The Daily Caller, NPR, The Hill, TheBlaze, Mediaite and BizPac Review

Brooke Seipel / The Hill:
Cruz: No money for UN until Israel decision reversed

Discussion: CNN, Newsmax, TheBlaze, The Daily Caller, Townhall.com, The Times of Israel, Independent Journal Review and RedState

The Federalist Papers:
Obama Admin STABS Israel in the Back, Abstains From UN Vote on Settlements

Discussion: Israpundit and RedState

BBC:

Russian military plane crashes in Black Sea, killing 92 — A Russian military plane with 92 people on board has crashed into the Black Sea, Russia's defence ministry says. — The plane disappeared from radar two minutes after taking off from Sochi at 05:25 (02:25 GMT), heading for Latakia in Syria.

Discussion: RT, NPR and Balloon Juice

Reuters:
All 92 on Syria-bound Russian military jet killed in crash, including 60 from Red Army Choir

Discussion: CNN, Gizmodo, The Gateway Pundit and The Daily Caller

Robert Matzen / Wall Street Journal:

How Jimmy Stewart Became George Bailey — The star of 'It's a Wonderful Life' struggled with his wartime memories — Every year around Christmas, Americans stop to pay homage to what is perhaps our most beloved motion picture, “It's a Wonderful Life.” The 1946 film may flicker in black and white …

Discussion: TheBlaze

Mike Hayes / BuzzFeed:

The Obamas Successfully Beat A Live Action Escape Game On Vacation — Sounds like Malia was the MVP and they broke out with 12 seconds to spare. — President Obama and his daughters showed up unannounced at Breakout Waikiki, a live action escape room site, during their Hawaii vacation …

Discussion: AOL, KHON2 and Independent Journal Review

Sarah D / Los Angeles Times:

After 24 years working together, Feinstein and Boxer say goodbye to their ‘Thelma and Louise’ partnership — Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, right, in the Capitol in 2011. (Bill Clark / Roll Call Photos) — In 1992, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer pitched themselves …

Nikita Vladimirov / The Hill:

Ex-NYPD chief promotes tougher police policies under Trump — Former New York Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly says he favors tougher police tactics on tracking and monitoring immigrants who come into the country as supported by President-elect Donald Trump