“Christmas Messages” of Reagan & FDR

From Bill Federer’s American Minute (12/20/07):

Ronald Reagan stated* in his Christmas Address, DECEMBER 20, 1983:

Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations we forget the true meaning of Christmas…the birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ…During this glorious festival let us renew our determination to follow His example.

Franklin Roosevelt said** in his Christmas Message, 1942:

I say that loving our neighbor as we love ourselves is not enough – that we as a Nation and as individuals will please God best by showing regard for the laws of God. There is no better way of fostering good will toward man than by first fostering good will toward God. If we love Him we will keep His Commandments…

In sending Christmas greetings to the armed forces and merchant sailors…we include our pride in their bravery on the fighting fronts…

It is significant that Christmas Day our plants and factories willbe stilled. That is not true of the other holidays. On all otherholidays work goes on – gladly – for the winning of the war…

So Christmas becomes the only holiday in all the year. I like to think that this is so because Christmas is a holy day. May all it stands for live and grow throughout the years.

Endnotes:

*Ronald Reagan, Christmas Address, December 20, 1983, Public Papers of Ronald Reagan 1981-1989, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office).

**Franklin D. Roosevelt, Christmas Eve Message, December 24, 1942, Public Papers of Franklin D. Roosevelt 1933-1945, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office).