President Joe Biden gave a Christmas address to Americans on Thursday but did not mention the name “Jesus,” the reason for the season.
Biden instead focused on ending political “poison” in reference to recent disputes among lawmakers.
Joe Biden Delivers Christmas Address Without Saying the Word ‘Jesus’; Calls for Americans to ‘Drain’ Political ‘Poison’ https://t.co/aBIl3iZMmH
— Joel Pollak (@joelpollak) December 23, 2022
What child is this?
“We look to the sky to a lone star, shining brighter than all the rest guiding us to the birth of a child, a child that Christians believe to be the Son of God,” he said.
Biden also spoke several times about the “light” and “peace” at the heart of Christmas.
Unity? Not that long ago. the guy literally called half of nation’s citizens threats to the continued existence of that nation.https://t.co/Zsm4qv0eMu
— Tim (@whatnowtim) December 23, 2022
A call for unity
“So, my hope this Christmas season is that we take a few moments of quiet reflection, find that stillness at the heart of Christmas, and look really look at each other, not as Democrats or Republicans, not as members of Team Red or Team Blue, as who we really are, fellow Americans, fellow human beings worthy being treated with dignity and respect,” Biden said.
“I sincerely hope this holiday season will drain the poison has infected our politics and set us against one another. I hope this Christmas season marks a fresh start for our nation, because there’s so much that unites us as Americans. So much more that unites us than divides us. We’re truly blessed to live in this nation. And I truly hope we take the time to for one another not at one another,” he continued.
His speech will reportedly focus on what unites Americans and his optimism for the year ahead. It’s scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern. https://t.co/9APuh8Ba4D
— KRIS 6 News (@KRIS6News) December 22, 2022
On the positive side, Biden avoided his disaster comments from last Christmas season that a “winter of death for the unvaccinated.”
Instead, he shifted from vaccines to unity following the 2022 midterm elections that led to Republicans winning back the House. Democrats continued to hold the Senate.
The spiritual focus, however, showed a misunderstanding of what America’s Christian heritage has emphasized. Instead of reflecting on the reason for the season and emphasizing Merry Christmas like former President Donald Trump, Biden missed an opportunity.
The speech also avoided the president’s many weaknesses over the past year, including the border, abortion and inflation, showing his ability to ignore even the nation’s biggest problems while talking about the positives of the holidays.
The speech may sound like a warm contrast from Trump’s divisive speeches, but still misses connecting with the nation during the Christmas season.