Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind.
In 2019, we published our first holiday message. This year, we continue the tradition with a reprint of the first official Presidential Christmas message to the American people, written in 1927 by President Calvin Coolidge. Drafted in his own handwriting on White House stationary, Coolidge sought to capture the spirit of the holiday that transcends religious or secular beliefs. It was a brief but inspiring message of peace, mercy and hope. He used the most effective mass media communication method of the time to spread his message; he asked newspapers across the nation to publish his greeting.
Once again, we find ourselves looking back on a year of crisis and division and looking forward to uncertainty. It is far too easy to lose hope if you listen to the never-ending drumbeat of despair that comes spewing out of our televisions, computers and other devices. It is our most sincere wish that you can find a moment of peace in this crazy world and seek out the state of mind that President Coolidge spoke of.
The staff of War Room hopes, as we do each year, that you and your loved ones can find reason for cheer this season. Please remember all those deployed, away from friends and family serving in locations around the world. New is the year, new are the hopes, new is the resolution, new are the spirits, and new are our warm wishes for all of you. Have a promising and fulfilling New Year!
We’ll see you again on January 4th.
A Christmas Message to the American People from Calvin Coolidge
To the American People:-
Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.
Calvin Coolidge
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, the U.S. Army, or the Department of Defense.
Photo Description: President Calvin Coolidge and his wife Grace are pictured with dignitaries attending the nation’s first National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse on December 24, 1923, 100 years ago as of the date of this publication.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Library of Congress
