Dec

22

With Christmas upon us, my mind turns to the wonder of the gift that our Lord has given us. Nothing in history can match the grace and beauty of the Christ child, literally God in flesh, who was born that first Christmas day. It is the gift that has changed the world.

History was divided by the birth of this child. His ministry—which began approximately thirty years after His birth and lasted about three years—changed behaviors, influenced arts and literature, changed laws, and brought peace to the hearts of men and women for twenty centuries.

This gift, given because of the love of God for mankind, has inspired gifts of love from so many sources.

Christmas is about giving. It is God giving mankind our Lord and Savior, and it is mankind passing along that love by giving of ourselves to those in need.

I think of God’s beautiful gift to Barbara and me of two wonderful grown children who have given me four incredible granddaughters.

I think of the gift our founding fathers bestowed upon us when they were inspired to create this land of the free.

I am thankful for the selfless gift of our military men and women who are separated from their families during Christmas to ensure that we, and people throughout the world, can have the same freedom we enjoy.

I must also thank the families who sacrifice so much, but bear with the weight of separation from their loved one in order that the soldier/sailor can answer their call. As a retired Air Force Major, I have experienced those separations and understand the stress that they bring.

As you push and shove through Christmas crowds, please don’t forget that Savior who was so humbly born in that manger in an unlikely hamlet called Bethlehem. May this Christmas gift be the cause of peace for all the world.

And may the peace that He provides rest with you and with your loved ones.

Have a merry and blessed Christmas.
Keith