ESCANABA — Picture this: the carnage of killing, maiming, racism, looting, and burning. Peaceful demonstrators march while being spat upon, and bottles and stones are being thrown at them. People who speak at forums are shouted down, just because they belong to another political party or have a different point of view.

In the wake of all of this lie our fellow countrymen and -women along with children — some dead, while others carry their wounds, physical or emotional, for the rest of their lives. All of these disturbing scenes are visually played out to us daily via social media and the news. They enter our homes, our work, and even the places where we worship, affecting each and every one of us.

So, let us call this what it really is: hate. Who is not only stoking the fires and fanning the flames, but also pouring gasoline on all of this? He comes by many names and in many forms. His many minions are here on Earth to do his bidding. He is called the Devil, Satan, Beelzebub, or Lucifer, and is served by his devious demons. His goal is to create an earthly darkness and deadly destruction by placing hate into our souls so that they can be rendered at the foot of his own altar.

However, over 2000 years ago, God’s Son Jesus arrived on Earth and brought to all mankind a message of hope, love, peace, redemption, and most important, salvation. This message brought light into a darkened world of evil and lost souls. It poured cool waters of His blessings over the flames of hate, forever making our world a better place.

God also gave each of us the power and freedom of choice, which means we can determine whether to do the right thing and attain eternal salvation or not.

So, for Christmas, let us not only celebrate Christ’s birth, but also follow what Jesus has taught us. This Christmas, let us bring our own light through Him into our world, making it a better place for all. Remember the goal: love and eternal salvation.

From the Paul family to one and all: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Please send cards, letters, and care packages to our servicemen and -women who are deployed overseas, and keep all of them and our first responders in your prayers.

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Dan Paul is a retired school administrator. His columns, which explore relationships, are published monthly in Lifestyles. Comments may be submitted at meaningfuldifferences.net.