Merry Christmas!

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day in the city of David
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
[Luke 2:10-11, NKJV]

At Christmas, people all over the world pause to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Christmas celebrations have occurred throughout history despite difficulties faced at the time. Our presidents have reminded Americans of how Jesus' birth continues to impact the world.

For example, in the midst of World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt reminded the nation of the reasons Jesus' message has endured:

It is because the spirit of unselfish service personified by the life and the teachings of Christ makes appeal to the inner conscience and hope of every man and every woman in every part of the earth. It transcends in the ultimate all lines of race, of habitat, of nation. It lives in the midst of war, of slavery, of conquest. It survives prohibitions and decrees and force. It is an unquenchable Spring of Promise to humanity.

President Harry Truman acknowledged the reason for Christmas when he told Americans on Christmas Eve of 1952:

[W]e remember another night long ago. Then a Child was born in a stable. A star hovered over, drawing wise men from afar. Shepherds, in a field, heard angels singing: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." That was the first Christmas and it was God's great gift to us. This is a wonderful story. Year after year it brings peace and tranquility to troubled hearts in a troubled world. And tonight the earth seems hushed, as we turn to the old, old story of how "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

President Ronald Reagan shared Truman's sentiment when he said:

An angel of the Lord appeared to them [shepherds] and said: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good 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." Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of voices praising the Heavenly Father and singing: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations we forget that the true meaning of Christmas was given to us by the angelic host that holy night long ago. Christmas is the commemoration of the birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, whose message would truly be one of good tidings and great joy, peace and good will.

As we gather with family and exchange gifts, take time to read the Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20) and remember the true reason for this Christmas season. From all of us at WallBuilders, Merry Christmas!