John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
On Christmas Eve, 1952 President Truman started his Christmas Address with the following gospel-laden thoughts:
“My fellow Americans: As we light this National Christmas tree tonight, here on the White House lawn, as all of us light our own Christmas trees in our own homes, we 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.”
He closed this address with the following powerful charge:
“We believe that all men are truly the children of God. As we worship at this Christmastide, let us worship in this spirit. As we pray for our loved ones far from home; as we pray for our men and women in Korea, and all our service men and women wherever they are; let us also pray for our enemies. Let us pray that the spirit of God shall enter their lives and prevail in their lands. Let us pray for a fulfillment of the brotherhood of man. Through Jesus Christ the world will yet be a better and a fairer place. This faith sustains us today as it has sustained mankind for centuries past. This is why the Christmas story, with the bright stars shining and the angels singing, moves us to wonder and stirs our hearts to praise. Now, my fellow countrymen, I wish for all of you a Christmas filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and many years of future happiness with the peace of God reigning upon this earth.”
As we celebrate Christmastime this year, let us linger on these faith-filled thoughts from a President not all that far removed from us today. Let us spend the season remembering another night long ago. Let it move us to wonder and stir our hearts to praise. Let our faith sustain us. Let us embrace the thought that all men are truly the children of God. Let us worship in this spirit. Let us pray for the men and women who are serving our nation in harm’s way. Let us also pray for our enemies.
May your Christmas be filled with the Holy Spirit and the promise of future happiness with God reigning upon this earth.
I PRAY THAT YOU HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!
