In partnership with
Welcome to Sunday in a Sip. It's November 30th, 2025, and tomorrow starts the month of December with only 3 weeks and 5 days until Christmas Day. The full moon arrives on Thursday, December 4, 2025, and is also known as the Cold Moon. It will be at its fullest at 6:14 p.m. EST and is the last supermoon of the year.
This week’s update is presented with the solemn, hopeful glow of the first purple Advent candle, reflecting the Prophecy Candle's promise of peace and salvation, and inviting a moment of peace and reflection before the rush of the season begins.
Let’s talk over a cup of coffee
If you've been trying to avoid the non-stop noise this past week, which included a major holiday for many in the United States. I respectfully don't blame you. It can feel like the global conversation is happening at a volume and speed designed to leave you breathless before you’ve even had your first caffeine hit.
Now that the Black Friday rush has passed, this week begins with the quiet, reflective warmth of a first-of-the-week cup of coffee. So, grab your mug and hold tight before the week's digital urgency begins with Cyber Monday's click-and-buy spree.
But here we are now, in the quiet of a weekend morning. So let's take a breath and gently unpack the most significant stories that dominated the timeline. We’ll skip the chatter and focus on the facts you'll need to feel informed enough for any conversation, from the family dinner table to your Monday morning meeting.
This week was a political lightning rod in the US, but the real story might be the chaos in the peace talks for Ukraine.
Did you see how badly the US-Russia plan was received by Kyiv?
US-Russia Peace Plan for Ukraine: Officials from the US, Ukraine, and Europe met in Geneva to discuss a US-drafted peace plan to end the conflict in Ukraine. Reports indicated that the original 28-point proposal, negotiated solely by US and Russian envoys, faced significant pushback, particularly from European and Ukrainian officials, who sought to reverse proposed limits on Ukraine's military and certain territorial concessions. A sign of major-power negotiation attempting to force a resolution. Washington and Moscow are talking, but Kyiv and its European allies are pushing back hard on the details, underscoring that the path to any lasting peace remains highly contentious.
Washington D.C. Shooting and Immigration: Two National Guard members were shot near the White House, prompting President Trump to order an additional deployment of troops to the capital and use the incident to escalate his crackdown on immigration. The President announced a plan for a "permanent pause on migration from all third-world countries" and a review of green card applications. This blends domestic security with a major policy shift. The shooting became an immediate political flashpoint, leading to a new, highly restrictive immigration policy announcement.
Meanwhile, the Government Sustained Essential Services: Away from the headlines, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided a measure of fundamental stability by expanding food safety oversight (welcoming Nevada into the meat inspection program) and directly strengthening the national food safety net by announcing a $30 million purchase of fresh fruit to support food banks and American farmers through the coming winter.
The Takeaway? The big global and domestic political initiatives created volatility, but behind the scenes, essential agencies moved to secure food safety and support those in need.
So, take another sip and a deep breath as we face the week together.
Get ready to welcome the new season with a sip of your favorite brew, maybe daily with me, if you join me and listen to “Daily sip with Marcel."
If you haven’t, please consider becoming a paid subscriber; you get so much more, and you help support this newsletter.
BLACK FRIDAY SALE
Right now, our VIP Monthly Subscription is $1 a month.
If you’ve been enjoying the read, this is the perfect moment to join
as a subscriber and help us keep delivering content you won’t find anywhere else.
Subscribe today and be part of something better.
Now, our Monthly VIP subscription is $1 a month.
VIP Benefits:
Access to our Feature writer’s articles.
Access to the Audio Version of Sunday in a sip
Access to our expanded News Section
Access to our Pour Over feature section
Access to our Web version Look Here
FREE Sunday in a Sip collector coffee mug (Yearly Subscriber Option)
Get ALL this SUBSCRIBE and become a VIP TODAY!
Gold Price is on the rise again and Oil price steady.
Gold Price $4,256.40
Oil Price $58.55 per barrel WTI
The daily health habit you’ll actually stick with…
This time of year, it’s SO hard to stay in control of your health.
Holiday travel (and meals!), big family gatherings, dark and cold days, it’s easy to skip that workout, sleep in later than you should, or have just one more cookie.
That’s why you need a daily health habit that’s easy to stick with.
Meet AG1: With just one quick scoop every morning, you’ll get over 75 ingredients that help support your immune health, gut health, energy, and close nutrient gaps in your diet.
Right now is the best time to get started - with every new subscription, they are giving away $126 in free gifts for the holidays.
Give AG1 a try today and take control of your health this holiday season.
And It’s FREE to listen to daily, available to listen on iHeart Radio Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, and of course Youtube.
You can also listen to Daily Sip with Marcel every day on Spotify HERE
Listen on YouTube
Visit Today
Read our guest Writer E. Gordon Mooneyhan’s take on
Brewing Words: The Cultural Symbiosis of Coffee Shops and Bookstores.
Why do coffee shops and bookstores pair perfectly? Explore the rich cultural history and cozy ambience of this legendary duo.
READ MORE
The U.S. Economy
The Black Friday Hangover
The verdict is in, and while Black Friday receipts hit new nominal records, the buzz on Main Street feels more like a quiet hum than a roaring engine. After a Thanksgiving marked by both culinary indulgence and inflation fatigue, analysts are scratching their heads. Was the surge in online shopping a true sign of robust consumer health, or merely a strategic liquidation by retailers to clear 2025’s overstocked inventory?
The U.S. economy posted solid growth in the third quarter, with annualized GDP rising 3.8%, though trade distortions masked underlying momentum. Consumer confidence dipped to its lowest level since April, as Americans voiced concerns about job security and future prospects. The federal deficit for October came in at $284.3 billion, up nearly $27 billion from the same month last year, driven by higher spending and elevated debt costs. While the job market added 119,000 jobs in September, inflation remains above target, prompting some Federal Reserve officials to take a more hawkish stance for the December meeting.
World News
Global headlines were dominated by progress in talks over the Russia-Ukraine war, with cautious optimism emerging from diplomatic channels. Russia launched a deadly drone attack on a Ukrainian city, underscoring ongoing tensions in the region. In Nigeria, 50 schoolchildren escaped captivity after being abducted, marking a rare positive development in the ongoing crisis. Meanwhile, the Thanksgiving holiday travel rush in the U.S. is expected to be the busiest in 15 years, reflecting a strong rebound in global mobility
U.S. News
Domestic news was shaped by President Trump’s push for Ukraine to end the war with Russia by Thanksgiving, highlighting ongoing U.S. involvement in global diplomacy. The Federal Aviation Administration anticipates record-setting travel volumes over the Thanksgiving holiday, signaling a robust consumer economy. In Memphis, a local task force has arrested thousands since September, part of a broader crackdown on crime. The government shutdown delayed key economic data releases, adding to uncertainty for markets and policymakers
Sports
The NFL saw some dramatic finishes this week. The Chicago Bears edged out the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28, with quarterback Caleb Williams throwing three touchdowns despite a challenging day. The Jacksonville Jaguars rallied to defeat the Arizona Cardinals in overtime, despite four turnovers from Trevor Lawrence. The Dallas Cowboys staged a comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles, winning 24-21 on a last-second field goal by Brandon Aubrey. These results keep playoff races tight as teams head into the final stretch of the regular season
The World of Entertainment News
Entertainment was buzzing with Donald Glover revealing details about a past stroke that led him to cancel his 2024 tour. Michael B. Jordan took home a major award, while the final trailer for "Stranger Things" dropped, sending fans into a frenzy. The sequel "Wicked: For Good" smashed box office records, becoming the biggest global opening for a Broadway-based film and setting new marks for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Kevin Hart’s new comedy special also drew significant attention, adding to a packed slate of year-end releases.
Please support our new advertising sponsors. We’re thrilled to welcome brands who believe your morning coffee should come with a side of wit, warmth, and a wink.
Check out Lucas Gifts, Specializing in custom-made items like leather keychains, engraved wallets, wooden nursery signs, and name necklaces. Each product is crafted with attention to detail, ensuring a unique and heartfelt gift for any occasion.
Find out about Afuera Coffee and try their specialty coffee.
Pour Over Life
Spiritual readiness is a lot like setting an alarm for the morning: you think you’re prepared, but the real test comes when it actually goes off. The question is not whether you have an alarm, but whether you’re awake enough to hear it and willing enough to get out of bed.
Most people do not reject spiritual growth; they just hit “snooze” on it. There is always a reason: “After this busy season,” “Once things calm down,” or the classic, “God, wake me up at 6… but like, 6:30 is fine too.” Meanwhile, life keeps handing out little wake-up calls—unexpected changes, abrupt endings, surprise blessings—that ring louder than any phone on a nightstand.
Modern life makes it dangerously easy to live on spiritual autopilot, running routines, scrolling feeds, and checking boxes while the deeper part of you quietly naps in the back seat. Being spiritually awake does not mean being serious all the time; it means being present enough to notice when a moment needs courage, kindness, or a course correction, and then actually offering it. You are not a non-player character in your own story; you are a main character who is expected to look up from the script now and then.
Spiritual readiness is less about predicting the future and more about packing well for it. A ready soul travels with a few essentials: a habit of honest reflection, a small but stubborn gratitude practice, and a willingness to respond when love taps on the shoulder. These simple disciplines tune you to subtle “alarms” before they become full-blown emergencies.
Remember, life will always set alarms, but it is your choice to be awake when they ring. Stay alert, stay light-hearted, and keep your spiritual shoes by the door. So when the next moment calls, you are not caught barefoot and half-asleep on the couch of your own life.
Thank you,
Marcel
And if this sparked your interest, hit❤️, and follow for more.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your day today. Embrace the sunrise, chase your dreams, and make today the day you turn possibilities into realities.
Let’s Drink Together
Grab your favorite hot beverage and join me in keeping Sunday in a Sip thriving. Your financial support—no matter the amount—fuels the heart and soul of this weekly inspiration. Together, we can lift Sundays to new heights, turning quiet moments into something extraordinary. Every sip, every contribution, makes a difference. Let’s make it happen—together.
If you want to learn more, send me an email. Leave comments, and I will answer. Don't forget you can also read all past newsletters here.
Marcel’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.