Photo: Alamy
This week, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., celebrated the lighting of the Christmas tree on Capitol Hill alongside other lawmakers and D.C. leaders, heralding the “awe” of the holiday season and focusing on the miracle of the birth of Jesus Christ.
In a video posted to the Speaker’s X account, glimpses of the nation’s Christmas tree were interspersed with pieces of his speech.
He remarked, “I’ve only been Speaker for a month, and daily, I’ve stood in awe. In every capacity, we are public servants and stewards of the American people – and this tree represents so much of what makes America great. The tree is truly the people’s tree.”
He added, “It also signifies, of course, the beginning of this season of Christmas and the birth of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Speaker Johnson took office in October, shortly after the former Speaker, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted from his position following Rep. Matt Gaetz’s, R-Fla., decision to file a motion to vacate the seat.
During his first interview on Fox News, the Speaker stated that he was a Christian who believed in the “rule of law.” He explained, “I’m a Bible-believing Christian…. go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it – that’s my worldview.”
His Christian worldview seems to have heavily shaped his remarks delivered in Washington, D.C., this month, where he brought the focus away from generic holiday-themed remarks and instead zeroed in on the traditional and historical reason for the season.
“This Christmas, let us be resolute in our gratitude, joyful at the miracle of Jesus’s birth and resurrection, and mindful of the assurance that God’s love will bring you peace and hope during this most joyous season,” he concluded.
According to UPI, the nation’s Christmas tree was brought in from West Virginia this year, standing at 63 feet tall and heralding from the Monongahela National Forest.
