A Christmas Wish

“There comes a time in the affairs of men when they must prepare to defend, not their homes alone, but the tenets of faith and humanity on which their churches, their governments, and their very civilization are founded.  The defense of religion, of democracy, of good faith among nations is all the same fight.  To save one we must now make up our minds to save all.” ~FDR

It’s Christmas and I always get a bit introspective and nostalgic this time of year. Sitting under my Snowman throw, drinking cider out of my Santa mug, listening to my Pandora Christmas station, and watching the twinkling lights of my Christmas tree gets me thinking about this time of year and what it means.  Obviously, Christmas is a special season for those us who call ourselves Believers.  It’s also such an important time for those of us who believe we are Patriotic Americans.

Thinking about the Holy Birth and what that means for me a  Believer got me…well….thinking.  Our Savior’s Holy Birth and humble life is our example and inspiration for our lives.  Jesus’ lessons are supposed to guide all of our thoughts and actions.  As American Patriots we are called to fight for the founding father’s vision of our country; to adhere to founding documents and work diligently to keep the government accountable.  Right?

Then here’s my thought.

When Jesus was on earth; teaching and healing and leading, He never called for the Roman government to change.  He never called for the overthrow of the corrupt government whose tyrannical rule was so painful for His people.  Instead, He tried to transform THE PEOPLE. “You are the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)  He tried to teach that God gave each person the abilities and talents we need to change the world ourselves.  He taught that our focus shouldn’t be on the government but on our own hearts and our personal relationship with Him. “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations” (Isaiah 42:6)

It’s election season.  The banter and discussion about the primary candidates is in full swing and gearing up to hit a new level once the caucuses begin in a couple of weeks.  Yes, the candidates need vetted and we need to discuss the issues.  But our focus as the Faithful should be on spreading the message of personal faith and personal accountability.  Our message as Tea Partiers should be focused not on those to be elected, but on those doing the electing.  Changing the tone in Washington isn’t about changing to elected, it’s about changing the environment in which they’re elected.  Changing the platform of a candidate may make a difference for a session in Congress, maybe even a term of a President.  Changing the heart of the voters changes everything.

"History is a ribbon, always unfurling. History is a journey. And as we continue our journey, we think of those who traveled before us ... and we see and hear again the echoes of our past: a general falls to his knees in the hard snow of Valley Forge; a lonely president paces the darkened halls and ponders his struggle to preserve the Union; the men of the Alamo call out encouragement to each other; a settler pushes west and sings a song, and the song echoes out forever and fills the unknowing air. It is the American sound. It is hopeful, big-hearted, idealistic, daring, decent, and fair. That's our heritage, that's our song. We sing it still. For all our problems, our differences, we are together as of old. We raise our voices to the God who is the author of this most tender music. And may He continue to hold us close as we fill the world with our sound - in unity, affection, and love - one people under God, dedicated to the dream of freedom that He has placed in the human heart, called upon now to pass that dream on to a waiting and hopeful world."~Ronald Reagan