A Prayer: That Their Sacrifice Will Not Be in Vain

Last night my wonderful sister Patti added a comment to my recent post about Thomas Nast's "Christmas Eve" 1862 illustration that is so moving, and so beautifully expressed, that I wanted to make sure everyone saw it. No more apt words will be uttered by anyone, anywhere this Christmas season:

I was listening to Oliver North on the radio yesterday, and was brought to tears by a caller who had lost his son five years ago to war. Hearing the quivering in the father's voice, as he fought to hold back his grief and tears, pierced my mother's heart and led me to pray for our heroic young men and women fighting for our freedoms and democracy. I was reminded that there are families who miss their soldiers, whether they be on the battlefields or joyfully in the bosom of our Lord, who lovingly gave His life for us. My prayer this Christmas is that this great nation, established by God himself, recognize and applaud the efforts of our courageous young men and women, along with their families, who have held the evils of terrorism at bay. That this great nation not squander these young peoples' sacrifices, by seeking to gain favor with rogue dictators and corrupt governments in an effort to become more "popular" in the eyes of the world. After all, do we not teach our children that character, integrity and the willingness to help others is what matters; to be a shining beacon facing adversities on this earth is the battle that we ought to seek daily.

God bless our military & their families, as we await the joyful birth of a sweet baby who will sacrifice himself to save generations upon generations of nations from evil, offering all the rewards of eternal life.

Amen. Thank you, Patti!