“May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths.” –George Washington (1790)

In the winter season, our East Tennessee mountaintop is sometimes shrouded in clouds that settle in for days, and that fog can persist for a week or more. The absence of sun and blue sky, or crisp and clear nights under bright stars, can take its toll on the spirit. However, my spirit is lifted high when I recall with certainty that above the fog and clouds, all the heavenly bodies shine bright. Eventually the weather will break and light will avail itself again.

I reminded my children that bleak winter weather obscuring the sunlight is an apt metaphor for the trials in our life, which can obscure the Son light.

Life itself can, at times, seem shrouded in fog and darkness. That is especially true if, like me, you bear a lifelong burden to support and defend our heritage of Liberty, which is now being assailed from many sectors. But our Creator, who irrevocably endowed us with Liberty, is always there, even if temporarily obscured by the fog of conflict.

I hold close these words from George Washington written early in the first American Revolution: “We should never despair, our Situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new Exertions and proportion our Efforts to the exigency of the times.”

These are difficult times for Patriots – as in times past. We face daunting challenges from enemies foreign and domestic.

Occasionally I forget that this burden I bear on behalf of Liberty is also borne by tens of millions of fellow Patriots. Let us pause to remember who we are – and the countrymen who stand with us.

We are American Patriots, defenders of First Principles and Rule of Law.

We are Sons and Daughters of Liberty – Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and public servants standing in harm’s way at home and around the world, who are loyal, first and foremost, to our revered oath to “support and defend” our authentic Constitution, not the so-called “living constitution” espoused by cadres of statists.

We are grassroots leaders and local, state and national officeholders who, likewise, honor our sacred oath.

We are mothers, fathers and other family members nurturing the next generation of young Patriots. We are farmers, craftsmen, tradesmen and industrial producers. We are small business owners, service providers and professionals in medicine and law. We are employees and employers. We are in ministry at home and missionaries abroad. We are students and professors at colleges and universities, often standing alone for what is good and right.

We are Patriot sons and daughters from all walks of life, heirs to the blessings of Liberty bequeathed to us at great personal cost by our Patriot forebearers, confirmed in the opinion that it is our duty to God and Country to extend that blessing to our posterity, and avowed upon our sacred honor to that end. We are vigilant, strong, prepared and faithful.

We are not defined by race, creed, ethnicity, religion, wealth, education, geography or political affiliation, but by our devotion to our Creator, and the Liberty He has entrusted to us, one and all.

Patriots, in keeping with the Spirit of this Christmas season, I invite you to visit our Patriot Christmas page, which provides some insight on the history and current context for the celebration of Christmas.

It is my fervent prayer that on this and every day of the year, we turn to the Light of our Creator for wisdom and peace. Remember that attitude is a reflection of gratitude – a grateful heart leads to a joyful spirit!

And in this last 2012 column from this humble Patriot, you note that before attaching my signature to any essay, letter or e-mail, I close with a few words in Latin – words that summarize my life’s mission:

Pro Deo et Constitutione – Libertas aut Mors
Semper Fortis Vigilate Paratus et Fidelis

To these I must add “et Gratus” – and Grateful. I am eternally grateful to God for all His provisions, and that includes YOU, our Patriot countrymen.

Have a Merry Christmas and may God’s light shine bright upon you, your family and our great nation in the coming year!