FUMA faculty, staff, and cadets:
As Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, we must be reminded as we look back on this most difficult year of the basic message of Christmas. God cared enough about this broken world that He gave us all an incredible gift – eternal salvation – that was made possible by the birth of Christ over 2000 years ago. Emmanuel, “God with us,” took on human flesh and walked among His creation. His teachings and example set the standard which so many of us aspire to in our lives. God’s incredible love for us produced the vessel in which we can base unending hope for our lives.
God’s love for us has not dimmed in the time since, and therefore our hope should always be strong. Our outlook on life should reflect that hope, and our own lives should reflect hope to all around us.
As we wrap up an eventful 2020, please do not forget the messages of Christmas: hope and love. More than ever, this world needs hope and love. And the world doesn’t need to simply hear about them, the world needs to see them lived out. I hope and pray that our FUMA community provides the foundation by which hope and love can be displayed to the world.
I am beyond blessed to serve as your chaplain. I pray that you and your family have a wonderful, safe, and meaningful Christmas. And for those of you who might not celebrate Christmas, I pray that we who do will exemplify to you the hope and love of Christmas in our interactions.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness... For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
(Isaiah 9:2,6 HCSB)
May you be richly blessed during this Christmas break, and may you be a blessing to all you meet. And may God hold you in the palm of His mighty hand until we see each other again.
Very respectfully,
Chaplain Benson
LTC James Benson
Chaplain
Fork Union Military Academy
D.Min, Liberty University
M.Div, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond
bensonj@fuma.org