It’s Christmas. A time of joy, hope, family, light, laughter, and love. Now more than ever, we need Christmas. We need to remember that not all is lost.

As we look around, one would think that all is strife. We see our non-existent borders and the waves of illegal immigrants flooding our country. We see the horrific rise in anti-semitism with pro-Hamas/Palestine protestors attempting to scream down productions, children’s Christmas events, and shutting down major highways. 

JUST IN: Pro-Palestinian Protesters block highway and entrance to Chicago O'Hare International Airport..pic.twitter.com/FOitOJtTMr

— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) December 24, 2023

We see Ukraine and Russia duking it out while Iran is threatening to shut down the Strait of Gibraltar. Here in the U.S. we have a bumbler in chief who is enabling his son, while a recession could happen and Americans are dealing with inflation. Our domestic security, national security, and foreign policy is in a shambles. 

So, one would think that all is lost. No, no it isn’t. Christmas is our reminder that HE is with us. 

Christmas offers hope. We are not alone. God is with us. It declares that the eternal Son of God invaded space and time, assumed our human nature, became man, brought to us a righteousness we did not have. The crib and the cross are deeply connected. He came to die for our sins that we might have forgiveness and everlasting life.

In “Mere Christianity,” C.S. Lewis wrote, “The Son of God became a man to enable men to be sons of God.” This is not only a “supreme mystery” but also what Lewis calls “the Grand Miracle.” It is still “the Greatest Story Ever Told” — a story of hope that lays the basis for the transformation of every person who will have him. Remove this part, and you lose the power of Christmas.

Indeed, Christmas along with His Resurrection are the grandest miracles of all. He brought us and brings us light and hope in a time of darkness and strife. The wonder in a child’s eyes is a reminder that joy and innocence are part of the beauty of this time of year. 

In 1981, America was in a significant recession, taxes were outrageous, the Iran hostages had been released in early January after 444 days of captivity, and we were in the midst of the Cold War. President Ronald Reagan reminded us then why Christmas does and should matter. 

He said, “Yes, we’ve questioned why he who could perform miracles chose to come among us as a helpless babe, but maybe that was his first miracle, his first great lesson that we should learn to care for one another.”

America needs more people who genuinely care for and look after one another. We have our differences, and news outlets will tell us that we are more divided now than ever.

Let’s not forget that our nation was founded by individuals who came from different political backgrounds. They put aside disagreements to form a nation where everyone had the freedoms of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Our differences should never take away from our ability to love and respect one another. This is clearly demonstrated in Jesus’ life, as He cared for those around Him, and even those that society deemed insignificant.

Today, we are seeing a rise in the celebration and advocation of evil. As we’ve written multiple times here, the rise in anti-semitism should be of concern to us all on every level. Yet President Reagan reminds us that we as Americans should do all we can to be the light of hope, joy, and freedom to all. 

Once, earlier in this century, an evil influence threatened that the lights were going out all over the world. Let the light of millions of candles in American homes give notice that the light of freedom is not going to be extinguished. We are blessed with a freedom and abundance denied to so many. Let those candles remind us that these blessings bring with them a solid obligation, an obligation to the God who guides us, an obligation to the heritage of liberty and dignity handed down to us by our forefathers and an obligation to the children of the world, whose future will be shaped by the way we live our lives today.

Christmas means so much because of one special child. But Christmas also reminds us that all children are special, that they are gifts from God, gifts beyond price that mean more than any presents money can buy. In their love and laughter, in our hopes for their future lies the true meaning of Christmas.

This Christmas, there are those who are weary and sad. It is my hope and prayer that in the small still quiet of the night, their burdens will be lifted in knowing that God is with us always, and he is manifest in the gift of His Son. 

Feature Photo Credit: Personal Photo