December 2025

Good morning,

Counterfeiting is big business. The U.S. Department of Treasury estimates there's a whopping $70 million in counterfeit bills currently floating through America's commerce. The most commonly forged currency is the $20 bill with Andrew Jackson's face on the front — how ironic, since President Jackson was famous for distrusting banks.

However, counterfeit money isn't the only fake in today's marketplace. Frauds come in every shape and color, from electronics to pharmaceuticals, from luxury items to documents, and certainly, in fake checks and bogus credit cards — each designed to replicate the original and deceive the public.

Journalist Sydney Harris said, "Men make counterfeit money. But in many cases, money makes counterfeit men."

And, sure enough, scandalous wolves in designer sheep's clothing prowl among us…

In 1925, con artist Victor Lustig put the Eiffel Tower up for sale, and sold it — not once, but twice! Two scrap iron companies bid for, and won the job for $1.3 million each. Lustig also invented a Money Box that (supposedly) perfectly replicated any currency inserted into the slot. Hundreds of naïve buyers lined up to secure one, including a Texas sheriff.

During the 1960s, teenager Frank Abagnale, began forging checks for millions of dollars across 26 countries. Then he upped his scamming skills by impersonating a Pan Am pilot, a pediatrician, an assistant state attorney, a sociology professor, among others. So impressive was his con game that Steven Spielberg made a movie of Abagnale's exploits, Catch Me If You Can.

In the 1990s, Christophe Rocancourt, using a fake deed, sold a lovely Paris home — which he didn't own — for $1.4 million. He quickly fled France for California's golden opportunities, where he infiltrated Hollywood society. Claiming to be a Rockefeller heir, he defrauded millions from gullible celebrities and socialites.

But none of this is new. Even Jesus warned about con artists. "False Christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect" (Matt 24.24).

That's why it's always important to validate authenticity — whether it's currency, or products … or a Savior.

This month, more than any other time of the year, Jesus' story is on full display. The world is well aware of the colorful highlights — born in a manger, angelic choirs, gold, frankincense and myrrh. But whether they believe His true nature and purpose for coming, well, that's another matter.

And that's where you and I come in. We've been commissioned by God to communicate this truth to a generation that asks lots and lots of questions.

"Is Jesus for real, or is He just a religious relic woven into the season?"

Scripture validates Jesus without question. "He is the image of the invisible God" (Col 1.15). He is "the radiance of (God's) glory and the exact representation of His nature" (Heb 1.3). He is in the very form of God (Phil 2.6). Jesus said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (Jn 14.9). In Christ, God became visible, "and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father" (Jn 1.14).

But Jesus' was also validated …
•    By fulfilling Old Testament prophecies (Is 7.14; Mic 5.2, and hundreds more)
•    By heavenly angels (Lk 2.9-11)
•    By lowly shepherds (Lk 2.15-17)
•    By mighty kings (Mt 2.1-11)
•    By a prophetic forerunner (Jn 1.29)
•    By demonic forces (Mt 9.29)
•    By His disciples (Mt 16.16; Jn 1.49)
•    By recipients of His grace (Jn 4.7-26, 9.1-38, and many more)
•    By the cries of the people (Mk 11.9-10)
•    By His ability to suspend natural law (John 6.19; 11.43-44, and many more)
•    By His detractors (Mt 27.19)
•    By unsolicited eye-witnesses (Mt 27.54)
•    By the resurrection (Lk 24.5-6)
•    And by the Father Himself (Mt 3.17)

Now, add your name to this list. Because, as the world stops to celebrate God's "indescribable gift" (2Cor 9.15), you'll have the privilege of validating Him yourself.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Salem Media,