Over the course of the year we have looked at many examples of our Founding Fathers’ writings about the birth of America – the vision, ideals, and identity. Did you know that the birth of Jesus is also tightly linked to the birth of our country?
It started with a written covenant that was made on November 11, 1620 between the pilgrims and God Himself when they wrote:
“In the name of God, Amen. … Having undertaken, for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.”
They desired to be a people that was accountable to God in order to give Him glory.
Years later the Declaration of Independence was signed. Half of the signers were either graduates of seminary or held a biblical degree.
It was President John Quincy Adams, who on July 4, 1837 clearly articulated the connection between the birth of Jesus and the birth of America:
“Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day? … Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth. That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity, and gave to the world the first irrevocable pledge of the fulfillment of the prophecies announced directly from Heaven at the birth of the Savior and predicted by the greatest of the Hebrew prophets six hundred years before?”
Do you see it? President Adams helps us understand that the birth of America represented God’s promise to humanity only after the birth of Jesus. America would be the vehicle to help further the Gospel.
This may sound audacious, but it is in the grounding of our country in the person of Jesus, the truths of the Bible, and the shadow of God that we have experienced unrivaled blessing and protection throughout the life of our young republic.
Should knowing this change us? I believe it should. We must understand that we have a responsibility to protect this precious land, do what is right, put ourselves under the authority of God’s Word, and choose to turn to our Creator.
Our country was designed to give God glory, make His name great, and lead others into right relationships with Him.
I believe when you understand this heavenly link between Jesus’ birth and America’s birth, you can begin to understand the call to each and every citizen.
On behalf of the Defender Gear team, we wish you the merriest Christmas and may you draw near to God and hear HIS voice.
Sources
The Birth Of Christ And The Birth Of America Are Linked - Watchwoman on the Wall
Quotes on Jesus and the Bible from our Founding Fathers - Bible Apologetics - A DAILY DEVOTIONAL
