Christmas is a time for us to be mindful that love is the greatest gift of all. Jesus taught that love is a gift that, when given freely, returns to bless us bountifully. We exchange presents to symbolize this truth, which lies hidden only by a thin veneer. The Christmas message gives us cause to celebrate love and salvation through Christ, who brings to each of us hope and peace. It is time for us to be thankful for all the blessings in our lives. And we use this day to renew our faith in Christ and to carry His message with us into a new year.

We take this time to remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves and to realize that for some people, the holidays can be a very difficult time — particularly difficult as additional tens of thousands of Americans pursue the cause of peace in far off Afghanistan and other troubled corners of the world, a peace humankind has sought since the earliest days of civilization. And here at home, millions of American struggle in the second year of a terrible recession.

We see Christmas as an opportunity and a hope for people of all faiths to make a difference in someone’s life, perhaps that of a needy stranger or family otherwise overlooked as we rush to manage our own hectic lives.

Christmas is a wonderful time. It is a season to warm our hearts and our very being. Christmas reminds us of the goodness in the human spirit that brings to us delightful surprises and the warmth of caring to help sustain us through the winter and the months that follow.

We create Christmas memories and follow our family traditions. The holidays help us mark the time as it passes. We remember our children’s faces when special gifts were opened with their small hands. We remember the gaiety of family members around holiday table settings and the practical jokes we played on each other. We revel in our togetherness and talk about old times. And we remember the family members who have passed on — and how the traditions they brought to our holidays continue to live within us.

Merry Christmas, everyone. We wish for all to feel in their own way the spirit of this special season — and to pray for peace.

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