On December 7th 1941 our nation's naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy. This aggressive strike against our country was devastating and led us to declare war on Japan and become a part of WWII. In a Christmas Eve address, our nation's president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivered a message to the American people. He said:
"There are many men and women in America - sincere and faithful men and women - who are asking themselves this Christmas: How can we light our trees? How can we give our gifts? How can we meet and worship with love and with uplifted spirit and heart in a world at war, a world of fighting and suffering and death? ... How can we put the world aside, as men and women put the world aside in peaceful years, to rejoice the birth of Christ?
Even as we ask these questions, we know the answer. There is another preparation demanded of this nation beyond and beside the preparation of weapons and materials of war. There is demanded also of us the preparation of our hearts; the arming of our hearts. ... We are confident in our devotion to country, in our love of freedom, in our inheritance of courage. But our strength, as the strength of all men everywhere, is of greater avail as God upholds us.
We need His guidance that this people may be humble in spirit but strong in the conviction of the right; steadfast to endure sacrifice, and brave to achieve the victory of liberty and peace. ... Against our enemies who preach the principles of hate and practice them, we set our faith in human love and in God's care for us and all men everywhere."
This address to a disheartened nation was to encourage everyone to forget their troubles, and find hope, peace, and light in the spirit of Christmas. Likewise, we can find the strength to overcome our greatest burdens as we seek the living Christ.
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem to Mary. He lived a perfect life and performed the divine Atonement for us, his brothers and sisters. He lives now as a resurrected being. He has taken upon himself the burdens and sins of the world that we, too, may achieve exaltation. And so, I share the testimony of the duly ordained prophets and apostles of this church who said, "Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."
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