Christmas Message 2019

First Lady lights the Nation's Christmas Tree

By now practically everyone is familiar with the Grinch, the popular figure in the famous story by Dr. Seuss who tried to steal Christmas by stealing all the trappings of Christmas from the children of Whoville. He crept into their homes on the eve of Christmas and took all the presents, the lights, the trees, and even the holiday meal. Next morning, he discovered that he had not stolen Christmas at all. The people were still celebrating the wonderful holiday.

There are many grinches in our society today. For years there has been an annual attack on Christmas from those who object to the holiday.  Attempts are made to ban Christmas displays from public places. In schools, Christmas pageants have been replaced by Winter celebrations. For some, the greeting, Merry Christmas, is objectionable and replaced by Happy Holidays. Occasionally, a few fanatics even resort to outright vandalism.

In response, Christian apologist often react in an un-christian like manner. Their first instinct is to fight back as if statues and trees and lights were more than merely symbolic. People who believe in the true message of Christmas, like the residents of Whoville, don't need all the trimmings to celebrate. It is such a great story that no matter how hard the grinches of the world try, they will never be able to overcome it.

This year President Trump and his wife Melania presided over the lighting to the Christmas tree in the Nation's capital. After the First lady did the ceremonial lighting, the President gave a brief message that it worth reporting. Here is an excerpt:

In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge lit the first National Christmas Tree.
Later that night, African American community centers held an outdoor worship service on these grounds. And during that service, the Washington Monument was illuminated with a beautiful cross, a powerful reminder of the meaning of Christmas.

More than 2,000 years ago, a brilliant star shone in the East. Wise men traveled far, far afield. I mean, they were a long distance away. And they came and they stood with us under the star, where they found the Holy Family in Bethlehem. As the Bible tells us, when the Wise Men “had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and fell down and worshipped him.”

Christians give thanks that the Son of God came into the world to save humanity. Jesus Christ inspires us to love one another with hearts full of generosity and grace....

And at Christmas, we remember this eternal truth: Every person is a beloved child of God. As one grateful nation, we praise the joy of family, the blessings of freedom, and the miracle of Christmas.

On behalf of Melania and our entire family, Merry Christmas and God bless you all. Thank you very much. Merry Christmas, everybody. Thank you.

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2020 to all.

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