Dear Fellow Georgians,

It’s hard to believe that another year is almost gone and  that Christmas week is upon us.  It is the time of advent (Anticipation and Hope) for us to prepare our hearts for the birth of the Savior. Christmas can be a time where there is a sense of wonder, beauty, and excitement. It is the music, the look of surprise on a child’s face, and the amazing food.  It’s the companionship of family and good friends. It can be a time for reflection on the year past, and pondering on all that we’ve faced individually, and as a country. Most importantly it is the birth of Jesus Christ, which gives us focus for the year to come, and a promise for the future that we can place our confidence in. (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. – Isaiah 9:6)

It is also Hanukkah for our Jewish friends. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the secular calendar. The story of Hanukkah also fits the political culture of the United States. It’s underlying narrative recalls that of the Pilgrims: A persecuted religious minority, at great cost, breaks free of their oppressors. It wasn’t separatist Protestants seeking freedom from the Church of England in 1620, but Jews in the land of Israel triumphing over their Hellenistic overlord in 167–164 B.C., reclaiming and purifying their holiest site, the Jerusalem Temple. (reference from – The Wall Street Journal, The Story of Hanukkah Mr. Levenson, a professor of Jewish studies at Harvard Divinity School, is co-author with Kevin J. Madigan of “Resurrection: The Power of God for Christians and Jews” (Yale University Press, 2008).)

As the Faith Based Outreach Chairman for the Georgia Republican Party I pray that this season blesses you and your loved ones, with faith and hope for 2012. May you have a heart of gratitude for America, and our Military men and women, who have kept our country safe through their sacrifice.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah,

Respectfully,

Terri Green

It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, “God Bless Us, Every One! – Charles Dickens