Dear Friends,
I give you the gift of these words from Winston Churchill’s 1941 Christmas Eve speech from the White House:
“This is a strange Christmas Eve. Almost the whole world is locked in deadly struggle, and, with the most terrible weapons which science can devise, the nations advance upon each other. Ill would it be for us this Christmastide if we were not sure that no greed for the land or wealth of any other people, no vulgar ambition, no morbid lust for material gain at the expense of others, had led us to the field. Here, in the midst of war, raging and roaring over all the lands and seas, creeping nearer to our hearts and homes, here, amid all the tumult, we have tonight the peace of the spirit in each cottage home and in every generous heart. Therefore we may cast aside for this night at least the cares and dangers which beset us and make for the children an evening of happiness in a world of storm. Here, then, for one night only, each home throughout the English-speaking world should be a brightly-lighted island of happiness and peace.
Let the children have their night of fun and laughter. Let the gifts of Father Christmas delight their play. Let us grown-ups share to the full in their unstinted pleasures before we turn again to the stern task and the formidable years that lie before us, resolved that, by our sacrifice and daring, these same children shall not be robbed of their inheritance or denied their right to live in a free and decent world.
And so, in God’s mercy, a happy Christmas to you all.”
Ah, these words from Churchill resonate so strongly here at the close of 2020.
Not only is the whole world immersed in a struggle with COVID 19, but the struggle here on the homefront in America is more sinister — internally nurtured ideologies have birthed oppressive movements, divided citizens into warring parties, and redefined concepts of goodness and truth.
How do we continue to nurture and grow our families in this?
How do we live as Christians in this divided landscape?
We live knowing who is the ruler of all and live faithfully to Him - whether that be loudly or quietly and in whatever sphere we are called to, public and private. This is defying evil. This is refusing tyranny.
The very definition of a Protestant is a life of protest against what is corruption, bad leadership, and anti-God. That doesn’t always mean we overthrow powers or have a radical revolution, but that we live according to the Word of God regardless of the consequences. How?
Be hospitable and love neighbors across party lines. Refuse to divide people into lines drawn by media and the headlines, and instead see each one as valued, created by God, needing the same salvation as you do.
Speak the truth even when told your values are labeled “hateful”. One can hardly keep up with what the standard of good is according to culture, so simply stick to the eternal standard that is ultimate and everlasting.
Understand the source of definitions and ideologies created by human hearts (“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jer. 17:9) and seek to align your life and thoughts to God’s (“The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” Ps. 12:6).
Teach the authority of God to your kids and His ownership of them in a time when rebellion is prized and autonomy worshipped. Christians know the gift and freedom “that I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Be a loyal and faithful friend instead of canceling people with different political stances. A Christian has the superpower to love across wordly divides — the Holy Spirit makes it so. Agreement is not a prerequisite to faithfulness, love is.
Submit everything to Christ instead of following the greased path of wokeness everyone is sliding down in worship of today’s flavor of enlightened thinking. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 to the end should be daily reorientation for 2021.
Frame every worry of this present age with our real and living hope. Our hope is a person - and He remains a sure foundation and bright sunrise through every political crisis, every pandemic, our worst moments, our darkest days: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
Let this be what fills our kids’ minds as they tell their children about this season: they were dark days, but in our home, there was a strong hope and joy — Jesus.
~Kara
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Wow, Kara1 Truth and love...beautifully written! You never cease to amaze me...Christmas Eve Day...you take the time to share your thoughts with us. Thank you so very much! Wishing you and your family a Blessed Christmas and New Year! Much love from the two of us!