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
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:8-11
The Christmas story is full of mystery because the human mind is unequipped to fathom the depths of the incarnation. The Anointed One promised by Yahweh to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and the Hebrew prophets of old slipped into earth without earthly fanfare in the courts of the kings but rather to the fanfare of angles to shepherds out in fields. His grand arrival was highly secretive. This innocent child, born without sin, would soon conquer the worst of evil and decimate the schemes of the evil one. Fallen humanity would experience great joy. Peace between God and man was now made possible by the Savior.
The realities of the shepherds in the field are often overlooked by Hallmark cards and traditional carols. These Jewish men were living in an oppressive and heartless Roman world. Violence was celebrated through the gods and gladiators and unbridled sensuality was public throughout the empire. The regions of Judea and Samaria had a different vibe, the people dwelling there were desperate for hope! They longed for political salvation, of which there would be none. Pax Romana would reign for centuries more.
Yet, amid darkness and bad news, came a bright light proclaiming good news. A messenger announcing that God was working behind the scenes. His sovereignty was never absent, and His will was never obstructed.
Today, I firmly believe God is working in unseen ways to give us hope in Wyoming and making known His salvation to those who remain blind to His truth. Hope is the steadfast confidence that the best is yet to come. I believe it!
Let us rejoice this Christmas season in the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. A Savior has come not to condemn us, but to save us from our sins. I pray your Christmas holiday is full of joy, memorable moments and peaceful family relationships.
God Bless,
Nathan Winters
Executive Director
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” – Luke 2:8-11
The realities of the shepherds in the field are often overlooked by Hallmark cards and traditional carols. These Jewish men were living in an oppressive and heartless Roman world. Violence was celebrated through the gods and gladiators and unbridled sensuality was public throughout the empire. Meanwhile, the regions of Judea and Samaria had a different vibe; the people dwelling there were desperate for hope! They longed for political salvation, of which there would be none. Rome would reign for centuries more.
Yet, amid darkness and bad news, came a bright light proclaiming good news. A messenger announcing that God was working behind the scenes. His sovereignty was never absent, and His will was never obstructed.
The Christmas story is full of limitless intrigue, as the mystery of the incarnation is hard to fathom. The anointed one promised by the Father and prophesied by ancient Hebrew seers invaded the earth silently under the radar. His grand arrival was highly secretive. This innocent child, born without sin, would soon conquer the worst of evil and decimate the schemes of the evil one. Fallen humanity would experience great joy. Peace between God and man was now made possible by the Savior.
Today, I firmly believe God is working in unseen ways to give us victory in New Jersey and making known his salvation to those who remain blind to His truth. Hope is the steadfast confidence that the best is yet to come. I believe it!
Let us rejoice this Christmas season in the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. A Savior has come not to condemn us, but to save us from our sins. I pray your Christmas holiday is full of joy, memorable moments and peaceful family relationships.
Merry Christmas!
Shawn Hyland
Director of Advocacy
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” -John 1:14
Dear Friends—
On behalf of my family, I want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
May the timeless message of our Savior’s birth fill your heart and home with hope, love, joy, and peace now and in the coming new year.
Thank you for your generous support and continued prayers!
The Torres Family
Vince, Tiffany, Brooklyn, and Gavin
Nearly every Christmas, my dear Grandmother would give me a red sweater. I don’t recall her doing the same for my siblings or cousins—but I confess that memories fade after 40+ years. Looking back, that red sweater was always one of my favorite gifts. Not because I particularly like sweaters a lot or because my favorite color is red—it isn’t.
I loved the red sweater because of how my Grandmother looked at me when I opened it. She would beam with joy. She would come to me, pat my cheek and tell me “how good I looked in red.”
Grandma is gone now. Yet, red sweaters at Christmas still bring a smile and a tear—because I’ll always remember her joy from having picked out the perfect present for me. Indeed, those moments when a simple red sweater—in her eyes—made me my best, are memories I will cherish for life.
In a similar way…
Our Grand Father gave us the most special gift, chosen specifically for us by name, given at the perfect time, so that when putting Him on—He, too, sees only our best. How can we ever say thank you enough for that?
I hope when you see a red sweater this Christmas (and they’re everywhere 🙂), you will also recall the Father’s joy for you in knowing that He gave you the best gift ever.
Merry Christmas to you and your family from all of us at Family Policy Alliance!
Sincerely,
Paul Weber
President & CEO
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” -John 1:14
Dear Friends:
On behalf of my family and Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas!
May the timeless message of our Savior’s birth fill your heart and home with joy now and in the coming new year.
Thank you for our continued prayers and support!
The Torres Family
Vince, Tiffany, Brooklyn, and Gavin
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” –Luke 2:11
Dear Friends:
On behalf of my family and Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas!
May the timeless message of our Savior’s birth fill your heart with hope, joy, peace, and love now and throughout the coming year.
God bless you!
The Torres Family
Vince, Tiffany, Brooklyn, and Gavin