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Candles in Solidarity: Christmas 1981 — Ronald Reagan on the Christ child and the media.
American Spectator ^ | 12/24/12 | Paul Kengor

Posted on 12/24/2012 7:07:56 AM PST by rhema

This time 31 years ago, December 23, 1981, President Ronald Reagan delivered a moving Oval Office address to the nation. The subject was Christmas and events in Poland.

[ . . . ]

It was a stirring moment, with the Poland drama the big story.

Yet, there was another story behind the speech that isn’t remembered, but is likewise revealing. Reagan had started the speech with a wonderful opening about the reason for the season: the Christ child.

. . . At this special time of year, we all renew our sense of wonder in recalling the story of the first Christmas in Bethlehem, nearly 2,000 year ago.

Some celebrate Christmas as the birthday of a great and good philosopher and teacher. Others of us believe in the divinity of the child born in Bethlehem, that he was and is the promised Prince of Peace. Yes, we’ve questioned why he who could perform miracles chose to come among us as a helpless babe, but maybe that was his first miracle, his first great lesson that we should learn to care for one another.

Tonight, in millions of American homes, the glow of the Christmas tree is a reflection of the love Jesus taught us. Like the shepherds and wise men of that first Christmas, we Americans have always tried to follow a higher light, a star, if you will. At lonely campfire vigils along the frontier, in the darkest days of the Great Depression, through war and peace, the twin beacons of faith and freedom have brightened the American sky. At times our footsteps may have faltered, but trusting in God’s help, we’ve never lost our way.

(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: christmas; poland; reagan; solidarity

1 posted on 12/24/2012 7:08:14 AM PST by rhema
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To: rhema

With all of the turmoil in life these days, including my own, I think I’ll spend some time watching my Reagan DVD’s. I am so fortunate to have been around through his Presidency.


2 posted on 12/24/2012 7:14:51 AM PST by SueRae (It isn't over. In God We Trust.)
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To: rhema

I also wonder...who will light a candle for us?


3 posted on 12/24/2012 7:20:43 AM PST by SueRae (It isn't over. In God We Trust.)
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To: rhema

Compare President Reagan to our current no-class POS-POTUS. I am so blessed to have seen what a President should be!


4 posted on 12/24/2012 7:51:42 AM PST by Twotone (Marte Et Clypeo)
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To: rhema

What a beautiful speech.


5 posted on 12/24/2012 8:32:50 AM PST by Moonman62 (The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)
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To: SueRae; Twotone; Moonman62
With all of the turmoil in life these days, including my own, I think I’ll spend some time watching my Reagan DVD’s. I am so fortunate to have been around through his Presidency.

Add THIS to your watch list!

6 posted on 12/24/2012 9:07:54 AM PST by rhema ("Break the conventions; keep the commandments." -- G. K. Chesterton)
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To: rhema
This year, on December 13 - 31st anniversary of the imposition of Martial Law in Poland - President of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski paid a tribute to your Great President and lit a candle in front of the Ronald Reagan memorial statue in Warsaw.


7 posted on 12/24/2012 12:24:38 PM PST by lizol
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To: rhema

Thank You! I enjoyed the clip & the comments.


8 posted on 12/24/2012 12:32:01 PM PST by Twotone (Marte Et Clypeo)
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To: rhema
He was terrific. Will we ever have another like him?

I enjoyed his autobiography, "An American Life." Reagan said he wrote all his speeches until he became president, then he got some help. I wonder if he wrote this address.

9 posted on 12/24/2012 1:05:52 PM PST by Moonman62 (The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)
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To: lizol

Thank you. May we see his likes again, in our lifetime.


10 posted on 12/24/2012 11:37:56 PM PST by jttpwalsh
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