It’s that time of year again when we gather with family and friends, exchange presents and hopefully reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. As we celebrate what many consider the most wonderful time of the year, let me simply say from my family to yours, Merry Christmas! I hope your days are peaceful and relaxed as you take some time away from work to spend with your loved ones, and as you come together with those who mean the most to you to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Christmas is really a time to thank God for all that he has given us. I know the commercialized version of Christmas can sometimes cloud the holiday’s true meaning, but I hope all of you will remember it is much more than just a day to give and receive gifts. This is a time for our hearts to be filled with love and joy, as well as faith, family and friendship. To bring the “reason for the season” into sharper focus, I would like to recount the opportunities I have had to visit the Holy Land.
On three different occasions we walked where the events in the Bible unfolded. I stood where the shepherds came to worship Jesus Christ in the manger after seeing the announcement from the angel. We were close to where the wise men brought gifts to Jesus. I also observed the location where Jesus was baptized.
On one visit to Israel, we were traveling with a team of people, and I went to Jerusalem and was close to the King David Hotel. About a block from me, a suicide bomb went off and killed 12 people. It was a terrible thing.
About three or four years later I went back, and Israel was 100% safer. Why? They built a wall. That is what we need to do in this country.
We must continue to defend our biggest friend in the Middle East and also work to improve our own border security. I believe accomplishing both are critical to the survival of our great nation.
Christmas is a time to appreciate God’s great love for us, and to celebrate the birth of Christ. On this most holy of holidays, let us not forget that God sent his only son to us to offer a message of peace, love, and hope. And let us also remember that Jesus died for our sins so that we might have salvation. Christmas is a great time to tell your friends and family the good news about our Savior’s birth.
As a nation and as a people we face difficult challenges, but we our bound together by an American spirit of perseverance that will allow us to overcome even the greatest difficulties. This Christmas let us all join together to thank God for his many blessings and his endless love. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
May God bless and keep you and our great nation.
Hardy Billington represents District 152, which includes parts of Butler and Dunklin counties.