As this is our last Daily before Christmas, we thought we would make it something of a Christmas gift. We start with a cover story from the Weekly magazine in which staffers speak of memorable gifts. Today’s stories also include how addressing an awful truth can help Syria heal, whether Biden succeeded in transforming the federal judiciary, and a guide to conversing through the winter holidays. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

With Bashar al-Assad's fall, ket parts of Iran's “Axis of Resistance” are diminished or defeated. Scott Peterson dives into what is left of Tehran’s expensive strategy for regional dominance. Also in today's package, Kash Patel's historical comparisons to J. Edgar Hoover, a musical serving as a better informer than the news, and homeowner light displays building human connections in California. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Brooke Holder for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Sophie Hills’ story, the first in her new role as our faith and religion writer, offers a fascinating look at the growth and evolution of “cultural Christianity,” and what that says about the United States and American religion today. Today’s stories also include what Turkey and Qatar want in Syria, how faith shaped Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ path in Congress, and a reporter hunting for ‘Carol of the Bells’ birthplace – in Ukraine. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and JJ Wahlberg for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

The worry of fentanyl coming over the U.S. border is a concern politicians have talked about for a long time calling it the ‘most urgent drug threat’ in America. But how is it really getting into the country? Also: today’s stories, including a lucrative African market up in flames, new holiday traditions in Sweden, and how cookbooks reflect broader societal trends. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Nate Iglehart for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

As the barriers to movement into and inside Syria have come down, Syrians are racing to reunite with loved ones and visit their former homes, or what is left of them. It is an emotional time, and the destruction they are finding is often vast. Also: today’s stories, including understanding the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, a spate of unusual drone sightings close to U.S. military installations raising questions about oversight, and uplifting traditions and history in museums in Rio de Janeiro. Join the Monitor’s Mark Sappenfield and Troy Sambajon for today’s news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

The magnitude of the emotions sweeping Damascus cannot be overstated, as our correspondents are witnessing. Unbridled joy is replacing years of terror and unspeakable loss. But the task of restoring order, and faith in a peaceful future, is enormous. Also: today’s stories, including solar panels in space that have the potential to bring power to remote locations or areas hit by natural disaster, Florida voters join states preserving rights of hunters and anglers, and a Washington writer on the Monitor’s “Why We Wrote This” podcast shows how adhering to facts and getting information to the public remain the fundamental job of a journalist. Join the Monitor’s Clay Collins and Brooke Holder for today’s news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Our first story: After the fall of the Assad regime, Israel moved quickly to seize border positions and smash Syrian military equipment. But can it translate its strategic advantage into diplomatic achievements? Today’s stories also include why there’s a housing crisis in the United States and what can be done to solve it, a personal essay by Ali Martin about the Malibu wildfire bringing her community together, and how Nigerian women in arranged "money marriages" get a new start. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Nate Iglehart for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

The fall of Syria’s autocratic leader Bashar al-Assad has created challenges and opportunities for both the United States and Russia. Howard LaFranchi and Fred Weir dive into how each country is approaching the new situation. Also in today’s package, preemptive presidential pardons, universities investing in rural students, and African art that liberates. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

As the UnitedHealth CEO’s killer is apprehended, police tech and citizen awareness is centered as the heroes in this story. Is citizen cooperation coming back to serve justice? Also: today’s stories, including the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Boston’s falling homicide rate, and new species popping up in the Southern Pacific Ocean. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Clara Germani for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

After decades of repression, the pace of political change in Syria over the weekend was stunning. But resetting the country’s institutions and reassuring the public will be painstakingly slow. Also: today’s stories, including why birthright citizenship matters and how it could change under Trump, Ghana’s opposition candidate elected president, and a Delhi cop who set up a school. Join the Monitor’s Mark Sappenfield and Ira Porter for today’s news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.