God spoke and out of darkness, there was light.
The theme of light reflects throughout the Bible. The Father of Lights was there in Genesis at the very beginning. His Son, the Light of the World, was born during the darkest of times with a star lighting the way to Him. And it’s there all the way to Revelation with Jesus’ face shining like the sun and His eyes like fire at the triumphant end.
This is why I believe it’s no mistake that in His grand design, there is a flash of light at the moment of conception when a new life is created. Scientists first observed the “spark of life” in humans in 2016 and have marveled at what it could mean ever since.
In His amazing creativity, He thought to give the creation of new life—even hidden away in the safety of the mother’s womb—a spark of light.
That knowledge gives new meaning to “let your light shine,” doesn’t it?
In this incredible year with all the challenges our nation has faced, we saw Roe v. Wade overturned and around half of the states taking strong steps to protect life. Those states are paving the way for tiny souls, made in the image of the Father of Lights, to not only have the spark of life at their creation, but the chance to shine their light in the world.
Yet we know that roughly the other half of our states are moving in the opposite direction—using the power of government to attempt to snuff out even more of those little lights before they have the chance to really shine.
So, our simple message this season of lights is let their lights shine.
We rejoice with thanksgiving at the overturn of Roe, but the evil of abortion is nowhere close to being eradicated from the United States. We will not rest until the light of life burns brightly and every life made in the image of God is cherished.
This Christmastime, let the beauty of the lights remind you of the first moment of a new life, just as God designed. We pray you will join us in our mission to see abortion made unthinkable, every mother and baby supported and cherished, and every human life valued all the way to natural death.
May God lead our nation out of darkness and may He let their lights shine!
Merry Christmas,
Craig DeRoche,
President & CEO
One of our family’s Christmas traditions is watching different versions of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. My favorite is the one with George C. Scott made in 1984. Regardless of the version, the two major themes running throughout Dickens’ story are redemption and injustice. Those themes continue to characterize the need in our world even in the years that have passed since 1843 when Dickens wrote his much-loved story.
Government can address many of the injustices in our world, but because of our flawed human nature, the bigger government gets, the more flawed it becomes. Sir John Dalberg-Acton was a politician, historian, and a contemporary of Dickens. He is best known for his remark that, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely…” This demonstrates that justice alone is not enough; we also need redemption and a change of heart.
Thankfully, that change of heart is possible through Christ, and in Him we are given a new and righteous heart. While filled with the Spirit, the Prophet Isaiah was given a glimpse of a “Christmas Future,” where our redemption would be complete and all injustice on earth would cease. God gave him a glimpse of a world-wide government whose leader would not be corrupted by power and glory. Isaiah names and describes all the governmental offices and titles that Jesus will hold in his “Eternal Kingdom.
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7
Each Christmas, we celebrate that wonderful future by faith as we remember the birth of Jesus Christ.
Dickens’ story ends with a change of heart for Ebenezer Scrooge and his promise that, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” When we have made Christ our Savior and Lord, that same heart change takes place in us. There is a coming day when the “Spirit of Christmas” will permeate our government as well. But until that day comes, Family Policy Alliance of Wyoming will work at making our state a place where God is honored, especially in the areas of religious freedom, family, life, and moral values.
On behalf of our team, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! We are honored that you have partnered with us, and we look forward to greater growth and effectiveness in the coming New Year 2022.
Nathan Winters
Executive Director
Dear Friends,
We live in a society today that makes no room for the Living God. It seems that at every opportunity He is pushed out and ignored…no more prayer in schools, religious freedoms under attack, churches being governed and told they can’t meet, life threatened with no consideration of the one who created it. In this social climate it is easy to become discouraged and disheartened, but this isn’t the first time there has been no room.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:7
Jesus was not born early. He was not born late. He was born precisely when and where He was supposed to be. It was no accident that there was no room for them. In His sovereignty, God knew this world would never make room for Him, but that didn’t hold Him from His purpose. He came; He loved; He died; and He changed hearts and lives. He is alive and He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever! Though there may seem to be no room, that will not hold Him from His purpose, and it should not hold us from ours.
This Christmas, may you be encouraged with great joy because our Savior isn’t held off by a world that isn’t ready. He makes a way when there seems to be no way, and He changes hearts and lives. Our role in His purpose is to glorify Him. My prayer for you this Christmas is that you glorify Him by shining light into the darkness as the angels did on the night of his birth; that you glorify Him by overcoming lies with the truth of the gospel; glorify Him by showing love in a world of hate; glorify him by not being put off by the fact that there is no room, but by making room one heart at a time.
Let us glorify the Living God by recognizing that the manger was infinitely more powerful than a room in the inn.
Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
Jodi Hendricks
Executive Director