With this Christmas season upon us, let us pause and reflect on our moments of joy and growth from the past year: Moments of victory, and moments challenging our beliefs.
Let us remember those who are grieving, those who are lonely or suffering, and those who are far from home serving our country.
As we gather around our dinner tables with precious loved ones, let us take a moment to appreciate our freedoms. When we gather and celebrate holidays let us give thanks for all we cherish.
The past two years have shown us our freedom is fragile. Across the country and around the world, we’ve seen liberty sacrificed for perceived safety, and rights stripped by governments with no regard to cost or consequence. Our country must face reality; in the hands of a tyrannical government, our freedom to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa can be taken away.
Our prosperity rests on our freedom to work, worship, gather, create, and pursue happiness. We thrive as a nation because we are free. You do not need permission to hug your mom, or invite a friend over to dinner. Those are choices we make for ourselves.
We never know what tomorrow holds, but we do know precious moments lost cannot be recovered with all the money in print. And these holiday moments we spend together with our families are often the most precious of all. Therefore, let us treasure our humanity and stay vigilant in our watch.
So yes, celebrate and embrace the holiday cheer! Embrace each other and lend a neighbor a hand. Thank a service member or a first responder for their service. Pass along some random kindness and savor the warmth of Christmas feasts.
Cherish the generosity and faith that makes this season bright. And above all, remember it is love that makes us truly free.
I wish you peace and joy this season and a very Merry Christmas!
Jamie Allard is Anchorage Assemblywoman for Chugiak/Eagle River and is a candidate for state House.