It is time for Christmas! Driving ‘round the 89th House District, I have seen a lot of decorated homes and Christmas trees standing in windows.

Some feature lights illuminating the edges of the houses and wreaths hanging from doors. White lights draped like icicles, Santas and reindeer adorning lawns, strands of multicolored lights twinkling in the cold, crisp air: Christmas provides us with a lot of great sights and experiences, and brings up so many memories of seasons past.

I absolutely love it!

Yet even as we celebrate this joyous occasion, we realize that many of our friends and neighbors are suffering. Some are sick or injured, some are lonely, some are afflicted by the turmoil of poor or contentious relationships, and many are hurting economically, behind on their payments with little hope of getting ahead.

That gets us to the real point, the true message of Christmas. On this very special day, the great holiday that comes as we move into the chilling days of winter, we celebrate the holy birth of Christ and gain sustenance and comfort through our faith in His existence and by doing our best to follow in His path. We are reminded above all else that this is truly the season of hope.

We look into our hearts and remember that we should set aside our petty differences and work together for the benefit of all.

The day of Christmas is about love, about healing, about the recognition that we are all God’s children, that we were all created in His image, and that we need to treat one another much better than we do.

And Christmas is about giving – not just of material things, but more importantly of our friendship, of our time, of our love for family and for our fellow man. I have often said that the concept of giving is itself a gift from God.

When you are feeling low, when you have nearly exhausted your energy and your sense of hope is all but gone, reach out to another and give. Giving is God’s medicine, and it has helped to heal many a hurting soul.

God has certainly given each of us the gift of life, and to each of us He has also given many unique talents. We should embrace these gifts and give deeply and freely of them to all who are willing to receive, and not just at Christmastime, for these gifts were meant to be given throughout the entire year.

I hope your Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are full of memorable moments that you will cherish and look fondly upon through the rest of your life.

If you are traveling, be safe! And please join with me in wishing our military, law enforcement, firefighting and EMS personnel a huge thanks for watching out for us all, even as we celebrate. God bless them!

More than anything else, thanks to God for giving us the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

State Rep. Terry Johnson may be reached by calling (614) 466-2124, e-mailingDistrict89@ohr.state.oh.us, or writing to State Rep. Terry Johnson, 77 S. High St., Columbus, Ohio 43215.