On Page D3 of the Dec. 25 Maine Sunday Telegram, editorial cartoonist Rick McKee of The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle highlighted the real meaning of Christmas. “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and the shadow of death Light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).
For Christians, the Light is Jesus Christ, who came to teach us what we need to do to gain the reward of salvation. It’s not complicated – just love God and love our neighbor (Mark 12:29-30).
In a Dec. 16 letter, “Christians’ votes for Trump cast doubt on their values,” the author, Kenneth Rice of Saco, questioned how Christians could support and elect an individual who showed total disdain for those teachings. I’m also puzzled as to how Christians abandoned the teachings of their Lord.
More puzzling is the active support from Christian leaders and ministers for that candidate. If it was to get political power so as to reinforce Christian values, they failed to show the country what those values were by conveniently forgetting them during the election.
The strength and growth of the Christian faith have and continue to be based on how we respond to and embrace all of Jesus’ teachings. Christians will once again be challenged when the winning political party demonizes those in need and moves to roll back the social safety nets put in place to help the needy among us.
Jesus’ expectations to help those in need are listed in Matthew 25:31:46. These expectations are non-negotiable. Many Christians failed to support Jesus’ teachings during the election. Soon, Christians will have another test of faith to see how committed they are to ensuring the non-negotiables remain in place. If you truly want to follow Jesus’ teachings, actively raise your voice loudly in opposition to these proposed changes.
Richard “Dick” Boislard
Saco
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