Every Christmas my mind goes to our servicemen and servicewomen.
I was Army infantry, and the long nights on patrol were especially hard with plenty of time to think of past Christmases with family and friends, hoping to see them again. Even those with little or no family life recognized the spirit of Christmas and softened a bit.
On this day, no matter where they are stationed, our Armed Forces are targets.
Please take some time over the next couple of weeks for prayers and thoughts of them.
On the home front, in the past year or two, I’ve had opportunities to talk and pray with addicts and former addicts. One of the common threads is hopelessness caused in part by an increasingly negative and selfishly secular media spectrum.
The birth of Jesus changed civilization in that it introduced hope through a personal relationship with God. Let’s pray and think about those facing bleakness in these days and turn that relationship outward to all we meet.
Vic Altherr is a resident of Union. He publishes the community newsletter Boone and Beyond…Grassroots News with his wife Ann.
Vic, your usage of two simple words, night patrol, really got to me. They evoke an image that Americans take for granted- our protection- and the sacrifices our service members wholeheartedly embrace to make it so. Thanks to you and all who serve, and the reminder to be thankful for our blessed nation.
The arrival of Christ ushered in a new era of hope for the hopeless, whether from loneliness, danger, illness, addictions, abandonment…whatever. Yes, He brings eternal salvation, but He also left us with a counselor to lead us and He Himself carried our guilt away. Christmas is a time for remembering and rejoicing.
That’s is such a good word Vic! We tend to get so caught up in all the wrong things at this time of year. Our men and women in service abroad in harms way deserve our prayers and thoughts. Thank you for your service to our country and for bringing this to all of us ! I am so honored to know you as a man of God and a dear friend