The World According To Chris Brewer

Here is a personal message from me to everyone on this Christmas Day.

From deep in the heart of Baghdad, Iraq, inside the International Zone…I bid all of you a very merry Christmas. Today is the day that we celebrate the birth of our dear Savior, Jesus Christ. He came into the world so that he may one day die, rise again and give us the greatest gift of all — eternal life.

Christmas takes on a greater significance to those of us who are not able to be with family on this holiest of holidays. For me personally, this Christmas 2005 has served as a gentle reminder of how I have taken Christmas for granted over the years. I had been so used to spending every Christmas with my family. Every Christmas morning, Jason and I would wake up early, meet Mom and Dad in the living room, eat breakfast, join hands in prayer, then open our presents excitedly. The routine never changed, even as the years passed and time saw our family grow older and closer

But in 2002, I moved away from home and joined the U.S. Air Force. For three of the last four years, I have not been afforded the opportunity to spend Christmas with my family. This time is so different than the other two, because I am serving my country in Baghdad, Iraq. It is wartime here, whereas in America, the environment is one of peace and reflection. We face a certain danger here, and the only danger one may face in America this holiday is a sleigh crashing into their roof.

There are over 150,000 American airmen, soldiers, sailors and Marines who will not get to go home with their families this Christmas. There is also a great number of troops from many other nations around the world who are here as well, separated from loved ones. We are all thinking about you back home this Christmas, and those of us that share faith in Christ are praying for you today. I ask that you take a moment today to pause and think about, and pray for, our troops deployed overseas in harm’s way, and that everyone return home safe.

This war has rendered many children fatherless, and many mothers have had sons and daughters taken from them by a cowardly enemy that these heroes swore to defend America against. It is because of the brave men and women fighting terrorism that you in America enjoy this holiday season in whatever fashion you enjoy. As you remember the troops serving here, please pray for the families of the ones who have fallen as well.

As for myself, I ask for your prayers today, that God would continue leading me as He did the children of Israel. He lets me know continually He is with me, as He did them as fire by night. I will continue to pray for you all today and throughout the rest of my tour here.

God bless you all this Christmas. Thanks to everyone who has sent me cards, gifts and reminders that I am loved by many back home.

Mom, Dad and Jason, I am with you in spirit today. Next year, our family will be reunited and I guarantee you 2006 will be the best Christmas ever.