Musings from the Chair
Great Joy in Trying Times
As I settle into my favorite chair, with my hot cider, this December evening, the house is quiet except for the sound of Christmas carols playing from old CD’s—the “real” ones my parents played, sung by Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, and Doris Day. Oh the memories! The Grandkids have already shaken every present under the tree to try to guess what’s there, and I just laugh at the timeless tradition, remembering when I, and then my kids, did the same. We are blessed, and it truly is the “most wonderful time of the year”.
But outside, the world feels heavier than usual. The news cycles endlessly with stories of global unrest—wars dragging on, economies straining under inflation and uncertainty, families wondering how they'll make ends meet. And here in the West, even our cherished Christmas traditions face shadows: heightened security at markets due to foiled terror plots, vandalism of nativity scenes, and a palpable tension that reminds us how fragile peace can be.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed. In Europe, authorities have thwarted Islamist-inspired attacks planned against Christmas markets, echoing painful memories of past tragedies. Vandalism has struck churches and displays, and the air carries whispers of efforts to dim the joy of this season. Yet, amid all this chaos—global, economic, and even targeted at our celebrations—Christmas arrives like a defiant whisper: "Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
That's the message the angels brought to the shepherds that first night. Not a promise of twinkling lights, perfect wrappings and bows, or endless feasts under a decorated tree. No, the heart of Christmas is far simpler, far more profound: Jesus.
In a world chasing the superficial—the bells and bows that dazzle but quickly fade—we're invited to refocus on the reason for the season. Jesus' birth wasn't announced in a palace with fanfare and finery. It was in a humble stable, to ordinary people, under Roman occupation and Herod's threat. God entered our mess, not to shield us from it, but to redeem it.
The greatest truth I cling to, especially when pain presses in—the truth of God's love isn’t that we'll never walk through valleys of hardship, loss, or fear, but that He will be there beside us when we do.
He came because humanity needed rescue. Not from temporary hardships alone, but from the deeper brokenness that fuels them all. Jesus came to teach, heal, and ultimately die and rise—to bridge the chasm between us and a holy God. Economic struggles will come. Global chaos will rumble and even attempts to disrupt our faith may intensify, but His love promises something unbreakable—He will carry us through.
That's why we celebrate: not the trappings, as lovely as they are, but the Savior who stepped into history to offer hope that outlasts any darkness.
Like a shepherd with a weary lamb, or a father lifting his child over rough terrain, God is there in the storm. The angel's announcement of great joy wasn't conditional on peaceful times; it rang out in the middle of oppression and uncertainty. That joy is rooted in Emmanuel—God with us—not just in the manger, but in every trial.
This Christmas, let's set aside the distractions, even the beautiful ones, and fix our eyes on Him. Amongst your cherished traditions, share the story of Jesus anew with family and friends. Reach out to someone hurting amid the hardships. Let the light of Christ shine through acts of kindness that no darkness can derail.
Because in the end, the babe in Bethlehem conquered the grave. And that victory carries us still.
May your Christmas be filled with His peace—the kind the world can't give and can't take away.
From my chair to yours, Merry Christmas!
In hope and resolve,
Terri Coulter
Chairman, Wagoner County Republican Party
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