“The Greatest Gift”
| “The Greatest Gift” |
| Greetings and salutations to everyone. A very Merry Christmas to y’all, and let us not forget this greatest gift: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16 A simple verse, and yet it is truly the basis of our Judeo-Christian faith heritage. As well, we are about to enter the year 2026, which reminds us that this same Creator God of the Judeo-Christian faith heritage endows us with unalienable rights of life, liberty, and property—principles articulated by John Locke in his Second Treatise of Government (1689). Locke’s Natural Rights theory was the basis of Thomas Jefferson’s masterful Declaration of Independence, and next year we will celebrate 250 years of American independence. The Christian faith is one rooted in what I term the 4 Rs—Reconciliation, Restoration, Redemption, and Resurrection. And it all leads us toward one end goal: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17 God sent His only begotten Son to reconcile us to Him, to restore our relationship with Him, to offer us a path of redemption, and to grant us resurrection and victory over death. So as we go into this Christmas season, truly ponder what it is all about: a unique relationship with our Heavenly Father, who cared so very much for His creation—mankind. With that same understanding, we here in America have a unique place where our rights, freedoms, and liberties are not based upon the whims of man through government with a small “g,” but rather through a loving Creator God with a big “G.” Lastly, please lift up our everyday watchmen on freedom’s rampart—our men and women in the Armed Forces, our law enforcement officers, and our first responders—who safeguard our lives and liberties each and every day. As it says in John 15:13 (New International Version): “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This is what we remember on Christmas Day: a child who came to lay down His life for ours. This is also the role model for those in uniform who willingly offer the same sacrifice. There will be several homes in America this Christmas—in West Virginia and Iowa—where families will remember the birth of Jesus while grieving the loss of loved ones who gave their lives for this nation. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night—because you live in a nation where, as George Orwell stated, you can sleep peacefully at night because rough men and women stand ready to do violence on your behalf. Steadfast and loyal. |