For my family and many of yours, the Christmas season is the best time of the year. It is a time of celebration where we come together with loved ones to share gifts and give thanks for all that is good in our lives – most important to me is the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.
Christmas Day marks the birth of Jesus and the fulfillment of God’s promise to all mankind. As it is written in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
The birth of Christ stands as the beginning of the final stage of God’s saving plan for humanity. Born in a manger into the humblest of conditions, the Son of God would come to spread the good news of hope and charity to the people of the world, before suffering death and rising again to grant us salvation.
This is a love story that stands alone and instills a renewed sense of hope to all who believe in Him. It was and remains the greatest story ever told.
My faith is deeply important to me. It gives me the strength to do my job and live each day with purpose and conviction. While there is much in the world that can get us down, I am grateful for the hope that comes from my faith. I am also deeply grateful to live in a country where all people are free to practice their faith, no matter what it might be.
As we celebrate this holiday season, let us remember all those who have defended that freedom serving in our nation’s uniform – especially those separated from their own families. Their families bear a heavy burden and deserve our thanks and respect as well. Let us also be thankful to the first responders and healthcare workers serving on the frontlines to protect the health and well-being of our nation. I hope you will join Renee and I in keeping them and their families in our prayers.
While this past year has certainly been challenging, there is still so much for which to be grateful. And as one year ends and another begins, I am confident that we, as a nation, will be able to come together and build a better future for all Americans.
From the bottom of our hearts, Renee and I would like to wish each of you who celebrate a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am excited to get back to work and to start confronting the many challenges still facing you and your family. Until then, I hope you enjoy time with family and remember what’s most important – our faith, our families, our friends, and the many blessings we enjoy as citizens of the greatest nation on Earth.
Richard Hudson is serving his fifth term representing North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He currently serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and in House leadership as the Republican Conference Secretary.
