No man on earth can make a snowflake sound, or hurry one to the ground. God is with us. He comes at odd times, when we reach for Him and when we do not, when Christmas slows us and between the feasts. Today, however, Christ is born, a child among beasts.
The funny thing is when you least expect it, God shows up, dawn to dawn, His presence constant for those who believe, His commitment to our eternal care, never to leave, to always be there.
What we sometimes miss is how fragile we are, how not in control, how subject to forces large and invisible, how we are like those flakes which fall, so similar, yet individual all.
At Christmas, we are given to ponder, look out a window, take a walk in the cold, and think about good people and times of old, but also about the future, and what it holds.
Such joy is contained in Christmas, preserved from a time and place that seems so far, yet is timeless, uplifting, and reassuring as biblical verses and the Christmas star.
Sometimes, we wonder if all the chaos will cease. My mind drifts to Isaiah, who – eight centuries before Christ – promised we would receive “the prince of peace.”
“The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” or “God is with us.” Eight centuries later, his prophecy frees us – with Jesus.
What more? Isaiah wrote: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
God, who creates a septillion beautiful, unique snowflakes each year – that’s a one with 24 zeros – gives us also our Salvation, countless miracles, and heroes.
At Christmas, gratitude surrounds us and fear falls to faith. Peace resides under each steeple. As the Angel said: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news…great joy for all the people.”
Outside, snow blocks my sight. But Christ said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…I am gentle and humble in heart…my yoke is easy, my burden is light.”
Well, there we are, or here we are, or there and here we are, grateful once more for our Christmas star. Joy triumphs over grief, and faith always over fear; we are blessed again at the close of a year – for no man on earth can cause a snowflake to sound, or hurry one to the ground. God is with us.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC. Robert Charles has also just released an uplifting new book, “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024).
Wonderful, and thank you for the words that lead, for me, to hope for all creation.
I just ordered your “Eagles and Evergreens.”
This is the first time I have had a chance to read your work and I enjoy it very much.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
God bless you Mr Charles.
Wishing the Grace and Mercy of Christ our Savior be with you all in this Joyous season of our Lord!
How “Joy triumphs over grief and Faith always over fear “. good thought in that idea RBC – that contributes very much to the spirit of understanding. of what is needed to be understood . The gratitude for being able to experience the adventure of life and having a sense of mission – and thinking of the Reverence that is the story of the Holy Family . The story of Mary Joseph and Jesus Christ present substance , an ideal for a foundation This insight and inspiration brings to mind the parable of Christ about the lamp and how important it is to have the light of understanding in our lives . Christmas spirit for sure .