2024 | Week of December 23 | Radio Transcript #1598
Christmas is upon us, and this year, more than perhaps any in recent memory, we must remember the reason for this season – that Jesus came to bring hope and salvation in times when hope seemed far away.
And for many families right now, hope does seem far away, especially here in Madison as the community grieves the loss of life at Abundant Life Christian School. Shocking evil in Madison has again reared its ugly head. We know something about that evil with our offices having been firebombed just a couple years ago.
This time, the evil was especially tragic, with an innocent student and a teacher were killed, and others seriously wounded, by a broken and very confused 15-year-old girl, who apparently took her own life. As details emerge, it’s evident that people acted sacrificially in order to preserve life for others at ALCS. This is a tragic situation in every sense.
But, as in any time, even in the midst of this tragedy and as acknowledged by ALCS officials, Jesus is the reason for hope. And we celebrate that hope and peace at Christmas. The central part of the story of Christmas is told in Isaiah chapter 9:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”
This season is perhaps characterized best by the promise of peace. This is the reason we wish each other “Merry Christmas” – as a greeting of peace towards our fellow man, as the angels told the shepherds in Luke 2:14:
“Peace on earth, and good will to men.”
This is why it was so illogical for some in government to tell us not to use this long-regarding greeting for fear of offending someone. In this very unpeaceful world, who in their right mind wouldn’t want peace wished upon them?
Many Americans look ahead to January 20, 2025, when they feel they’ll again be allowed to return to using the simple Christmas greeting that was once commonplace and appreciated, even among those who don’t yet know Christ.
The Trump Administration enters the White House again in less than a month. Control of the government will change hands and Americans will rejoin in the battles of good versus evil, darkness versus light.
But for now, just for a few days, we sit in peace.
Remember in this time and in any time, that peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the confidence that one can and will emerge from that conflict on the other side, despite the circumstances.
As our nation undergoes significant change, and our Madison community and beyond continue to grieve this recent loss, we ask this Christmas week that you join us in prayer for three specific things:
First, that those suffering grief at the hands of evil at Abundant Life Christian School find peace and comfort in their time of need.
Second, that those who are lost and hurting – and may be considering violence or self-harm – would have an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, repent, turn from their wicked ways and receive the hope and peace of salvation.
And finally, that our nation would experience real revival because that’s how we will again enjoy peace and kindness towards each other. In that regard, please pray for our new leaders, whether we agree with them or not, in Washington, D.C., in Madison, and around the state at every level. Pray that God would grant them the wisdom to do what is right and to promote what is good, true, and beautiful – even if they must lose political points to do it.
Wisconsin Family Action enters 2025 with a clear goal for Wisconsin: to protect life, promote marriage, and to defend parental rights and religious liberty – from city halls and school board rooms to the State Capitol to the Nation’s Capitol. We’ll battle in the courts, too, and against any forces of evil and darkness that come against the beauty and truth that God gifted to us here in this world. And we’ll do it with the joy, compassion, and confidence that He calls us to—undergirded by His peace and presence.
On behalf of all of us at Wisconsin Family Council, we wish peace on earth, good will to men. And not that we ever stopped saying it, but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
For Wisconsin Family Council, this is Julaine Appling, reminding you that God, through the Prophet Hosea, said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
