Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season
In a few days families will gather together to celebrate the birth of Christ. With the ones we care about most, we will share our love and exchange gifts as a way of reminding one another of how much we care and how deeply blessed we truly are. I hope you and your family will have a Merry Christmas filled with love and warmth. I also hope you will not overlook the real reason for the season; something that is too often lost amidst the hustle and bustle of shopping and other Christmas preparations.
At the same time, we celebrate Christmas with heavy hearts in the wake of the tragic events that have taken place around the world and here in the United States. The terrorist attacks in Paris and in San Bernardino served as reminders that there are those who oppose our way of life, and the beliefs and values that make America the greatest nation in the world.
I hope it also reminds us to appreciate even more deeply the precious moments we have with our own loved ones. Let us never take for granted the many blessings the Lord has given us. Let it also remind us that there are men and women in our Armed Forces who will not spend Christmas with their loved ones as they stand the watch in defense of our great nation. This Christmas, we must not forget or take for granted their service.
We are a nation blessed with a wealth of riches and, even in the face of unspeakable tragedy, we will come together to help and to heal. May you and yours have a Merry Christmas and may God bless each and every one of you!
The True Meaning of Christmas
I’m sure many have seen the animated television special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, and I hope that those who haven’t will take the time to watch this program that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. It’s during the show that Charlie Brown is dismayed about the over-commercialization of the holiday and struggling to understand the true meaning of Christmas. At one point, Charlie Brown wonders aloud if anyone really knows the true meaning of Christmas. Linus responds by reciting the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 8 through 14:
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown," Linus says as he finishes.
