As it turns out both Christmas Eve and the first night of Hanukkah both fall on December 24 th this year. One might ask what do Christmas and Hanukkah have in common?
"And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication (Hanukkah,) and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch." John 10:22-23
Biblical historians who study the scriptures closely might say that we would not be  celebrating Christmas unless it was for the first Hanukkah. Had it not been for the first Hanukkah there would have been no Jewish community to whom Jesus could deliver His Good News and no disciples to spread the message. They might also say that Jesus was not born during the Christmas season; that He, in fact, from a Biblical historical perspective, was most likely immaculately conceived during the Christmas/ Hanukkah season; all the more reason to celebrate!
That being said, historically, the Republic has close ties with both the Christian and Jewish communities. After all, the One Individual most responsible for the founding of our Republic is, in fact, Jewish from the Davidic line of Judah. We have acknowledged the fact that our fore fathers covenanted with Him for Divine protection and guidance during the founding of the Republic, with their appeals to Heaven as recorded in our founding documents. He is the Law Giver by whom our Law Form was given.
In addition, let us not forget Haym Salomon who some would label the chief financial architect of the American Revolution without whose help the Revolutionary war would have been hard pressed to get it's feet off the ground, so to speak. He enlisted the help of the Jewish community, among others, who all had a vested interest in the concept of liberty and justice for all. He was truly a gift to our fore fathers.
During this season of remembrance, Let us also choose to remember the sacrifices our fore fathers made in order to give us the Republic. I specially call to remembr  ance George Washington and the Continental Army's crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Eve 1776, which lead to a successful surprise attack against the Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey on the morning of December 26th. We owe a great debt of gratitude to those brave souls and to the God they serve.
So let's choose to acknowledge the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob during this season of remembrance. Let us thank Him for giving us the gift of His only beloved Son that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Let us all acknowledge His handy work in the affairs of men. Let us all continue to look to Him for wisdom and guidance as we hold hands together working for the restoration of all things.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah,
President Geiger
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