As he officiated his final lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree last week, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) welcomed this “season dedicated to wonder and faith.”
“We take our joy at the birth of a savior, heralded by angels, and we spread that joy to those in our lives. We could all use a little more of that,” he said.
Ryan also remembered the late President George H.W. Bush as “a beacon of joy.” In words calling to mind Bush’s celebrated 1988 “thousand points of light” speech, Ryan reflected, “There is so much good, so much joy, so much compassion around us, and we simply fail to see it. It’s there, but hidden. All it needs is just a few points of light.”
The week before, just before President Bush’s death, President Donald Trump also reflected on the biblical story of Christmas and the time of charity and goodwill that this season is as he and the First Lady lit the National Christmas Tree on the White House lawn. As he concluded his remarks, Trump said, “We ask God to watch over this nation’s heroes, and to shed His almighty grace upon our nation. And we pray that America’s light will shine more brightly and stronger than ever. And it will.”
By Aaron Mercer, Vice President of Government Relations
