Merry Christmas from the Meckler household!

Merry Christmas from the Meckler household!

2024 has been another unforgettable year for our family, filled with many personal challenges but also great blessings. As we gather with loved ones to celebrate the season, we wanted to take a moment to thank you — the COS grassroots — for making this past year such a memorable one.

We know that, for many of you, 2024 hasn’t been easy. We certainly know how that feels. While we are supposed to bear in mind and celebrate the “exceeding great joy” of the Christmas holiday, it’s important to remember that “joy” isn’t the full story. As a Christian, I believe that Jesus abandoned his home in heaven, was born under less-than-ideal circumstances and cruel political oppression, experienced a painful life, and ultimately suffered a horrific death on the cross for our sins.

In other words, the gospel isn’t all “good news, nor are our lives filled with only good news.

In order to get to the exceeding great joy, we must also endure the bad news. To get to the joy, we must also survive the weeping.

In February of this year, Stan Meckler, the patriarch of our family passed away at 85. Losing the family patriarch is never easy, and we were all very close. For those of you who’ve been through this, you know. Then, to close out the year, our beloved Great Dane Levi had to be put down.

And yet, there has been much joy this year as well. This summer, our first grandchild, Lorelai was born. And on Thanksgiving, our son got engaged to the love of his life, and we are looking forward to the 2025 wedding.

Despite the many difficulties we’ve faced, Christmas this year feels especially hopeful. I truly believe the tides are turning for our nation: the great American revival of liberty has begun, and we want to be a part of it.

Christmas is the turning point — our very own “Star of Bethlehem,” pointing us to a bright new future.

That’s why we commend you for pushing through your own pain and loss to be here. It may have seemed impossible (to some, it may still), but the sights and sounds of the season remind us that hope is still alive; joy is still possible. 

So, thank you for never giving up. Thank you for still believing in America and a future worth fighting for. Thank you for inspiring hope.

To conclude with the words of the great American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: 

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

Merry Christmas
Mark and Patty Meckler