For many Americans, this Christmas season is turning out to be too much like last year's. A new strain of COVID-19 is now forcing families and friends to forgo the fellowship so much a part of this holiday season. Headlines such as "National Guard called to alleviate shortages of hospital workers ... " are causing canceled celebrations.
The pandemic isn't the only problem. There's also rampant inflation, supply-chain shortages, stock market gyrations, new vaccine mandates, riots, arson, mass shootings, smash-and-grab robberies, political dissent, attacks on traditional values and serious threats from Russia, Iran, North Korea and Communist China.
We're U.S. Marines. We "get it." Our country seems to be changing fast -- and not for the better. But here's our message for all Americans during this sacred season: Luke 2:10-11: " ... Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Things may indeed look dark at the moment. But because Jesus Christ arrived in a humble stable more than 2,000 years ago, we have hope in even worse circumstances.
Because Christ was born, lived, died and arose from the grave, we know the words of the Christmas carol, "O Holy Night," are true: a "new and glorious morn" awaits us. No matter how frightening things seem right now, there is light in the darkness: the salvation proffered by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This Christmas, rather than wringing our hands over the worrisome state of our nation and world, we should celebrate instead. Through Christ, good will ultimately prevail over iniquity. A tiny baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a Bethlehem manger, continues to overcome hate with love, evil with sacrifice and wrong with right.
If you feel hopeless in the face of the strife, uncertainty, discord and dissension enveloping our country, don't despair. If we put faith not in the president, Congress or the Supreme Court but in Christ, we will receive the gift of hope this Christmas. Politics has its place -- we are to fight the good fight for what is true and right -- but real hope comes from trusting in Jesus Christ.
Instead of leaving the things we long for to chance, place them at the feet of Jesus Christ and trust the outcome to Him. John 16:33 assures us, though we will have tribulation in this world, we can take heart because Christ has overcome this world. He was born, lived and died to save us from sin and, by doing so, end human suffering.
The problems we face personally, as a nation and as a world are the result of the selfish, sinful nature of man cast adrift in a fallen world. Christ is the antidote to all these problems. He is our source of hope in what sometimes seem like hopeless times.
When you feel like the world is falling apart and hope deserts you, place your burdens at the feet of Christ. Trust in Him. Walk with Christ and you will be stronger than any tyrant, despot or politician on earth. Trust in God and know for certain, He can use even the worst circumstances for good.
This is why we "fear not," even in troubled times. Our prayer for you and our country this Christmas is in Romans 15:13: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."