Well, welcome to the "700 Club."

For today's top stories, let's go over to the CBN Newsdesk.

Gordon, Russia is preparing to strike back against Washington

after the White House issued sanctions against Moscow

over alleged interference in the presidential election,

even though some analysts say the president's sanctions are

not very strong.

Dale Hurd has the story.

DALE HURD (VOICEOVER): It comes in response

to President Obama's move Thursday,

ordering 35 Russian diplomats to leave

the US in 72 hours and two Russian compounds considered

"spy nests" to be closed.

The sanctions hit Moscow's two leading intelligence

agencies, four officials, and two cyber criminals

wanted by the FBI for alleged Russian cyber-meddling

in the US presidential election.

The sanctions were aggressive and they were bold.

And they're designed to send a message to Russia

that this type of behavior is unacceptable.

DALE HURD (VOICEOVER): President Obama

said Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind the cyber

actions against the US.

Not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin.

DALE HURD (VOICEOVER): But critics point out

that this is the same president who

mocked Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012

over the Russian threat, saying the Cold War was over.

Russia's government continued to deny the charges of interfering

with the election.

Russia's London embassy mocked President Obama's sanctions

on Twitter, with the photo of a lame duck,

saying that everybody, including the American people,

"will be glad to see the last of this hapless administration."

President-elect Donald Trump said the US should move on,

but also said he planned to meet with US intelligence leaders

next week to learn more about the Russian interference, which

did not affect the outcome of the presidential election.

PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP: I think we

ought to get on with our lives.

The whole age of computer has made it

where nobody knows exactly what is going on.

DALE HURD (VOICEOVER): Some top Republicans

supported the sanctions, calling the president's action long

overdue.

Dale Hurd, CBN News.

New York City is taking serious precautions

against any possible terrorist attack on New Year's Eve.

The New York Police Department has deployed 65 sand trucks,

along with other vehicles because

of the concern about lone wolf terrorist attacks,

like using cars or trucks to run into people in the crowd.

Music can bring peace or joy in the most difficult

circumstances.

Keith and Kristyn Getty reach the world

through their songs, such as "In Christ Alone."

Caitlin Burke spoke with the songwriters

about their Irish Christmas Tour around the US,

a tour they hoped would help bring this divided

country together again.

CAITLIN BURKE (VOICEOVER): When asked

about big moments of 2016, Keith Getty has a long list.

From a new album release to a whirlwind Christmas tour,

he and his wife Kristyn are very thankful.

And it's just, it's been a very,

it's been a very exciting year creatively.

It's like a lot of things have exploded with it.

The Gettys are world-renowned contemporary hymn writers.

Their songs are sung by over 100 million people each year,

some of them in some of the biggest concert

halls around the world.

For the Gettys, 2016's first big project

was to help organize a global day of song.

People in 100 countries joined together

to sing the 90-year-old hymn, "Facing a Task Unfinished."

It was written by Frank Houghton, originally

as a call for missionaries to come to China.

Keith and Kristyn updated the hymn,

hoping to inspire worldwide evangelism.

I think it's important that we sing mission.

What we sing and what our children sing

affects every part of our life and every part of their lives.

So if we're not singing about mission,

we're not thinking about mission.

We're not praying about mission.

We're certainly not weeping or feeling guilty about mission.

So it has to be part of our existence.

CAITLIN BURKE (VOICEOVER): The Gettys also released

two major projects in 2016.

The first, a studio album.

"Facing a Task Unfinished" is the title track

and cornerstone.

This album was all about how singing fuels mission.

So the songs are either missional songs

or they're testimony songs.

And we wanted to get people excited about mission.

But we also brought this global aspect to the whole project

to try to encourage people to be involved

in mission around the world.

CAITLIN BURKE (VOICEOVER): The second,

a children's album called "Getty Kids Hymnal: In Christ Alone."

It features 12 songs recorded with the children's choir

joining the Getty's band.

I know for me the songs that I sang as a child,

they're the passages of scripture I remember.

I know the hymns that I sang taught me

a deeper understanding of the world

and our place in the world.

CAITLIN BURKE (VOICEOVER): That album debuted at number two

on the charts.

Finally, the Gettys wrapped up the year

with their Irish Christmas Tour, 20 shows in top concert halls

around the US, many of them sold out.

This year, the couple hoped it would bring people together

after such a divisive political year.

KEITH GETTY: Holidays remind us of the big story of grace,

of God becoming a child of God, becoming man.

And God ultimately dying and rising for us.

And they tell us of a bigger story and a bigger kingdom

than politics could ever promise.

[HYMN SINGING]

CAITLIN BURKE (VOICEOVER): Caitlin Burke, CBN News,

New York.

That would be a fun concert to attend.

Well, if you've been planning to give some money to charity

this year but just haven't gotten around to it,

you're not alone.

Nearly a third of all charitable donations

are given in the month of December.

So while it still may be late in the year,

it's not too late if you want to make a contribution.

And speaking of charitable giving,

let's go back over to Terry for more on that subject.

Well, there are only a few more days left in the year

and even fewer days left to make a charitable donation

that you can deduct from your taxes this year.

We'd like to encourage you to give to CBN.

When you do, your gift helps bring food, clothing,

and medical aid to people all around the world.

And it's also used to spread the gospel.

Because your donation is tax deductible,

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In short, you'll be a blessing and you'll be blessed as well.

So call now, 1-800-700-7000.

That's 1-800-700-7000.

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