We?

Good evening, everyone.

Thank you all for being here.

Please join me in prayer.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for this gathering tonight, bringing all these people together to celebrate this beginning of the Christmas season.

I pray that as we begin this celebration, it would be honoring and glorifying to you, and that we would remember the real reason for this season, which is celebrating the birth of our Savior, your son, Jesus Christ.

I pray that as this tree lights, we would be reminded that He is the light of this world and the hope that he brings us each and every day if we accept him into our hearts.

I pray that anyone who sees this tree would be reminded of that and that we would keep it in our hearts.

All this Christmas season long, I thank you for giving us this opportunity to celebrate his birth, and I pray that the residents evening would be a joyous celebration of your love for us.

I pray all this in your son, Jesus name.

Amen.

Well, thank you for that great prayer, Lucy.

And good evening, everyone.

Welcome to the governor's mansion, a home, but it belongs to all Georgians.

Marty, the girls and I are thankful that you've taken the time to join us as we officially begin the season of Light and Joy.

Another year has passed, and as we gather with family and friends, as we have tonight, it's important that we remember our blessings, the past few years have not been easy for our state, nor for our family.

Exactly two years ago, Harrison Dale passed away.

We think of him still in tears, our memories with him.

Since then, both our family and our state have also experienced further losses.

We've had to say goodbye to Jean Argo, Marty's mother, who is lovingly known as Goose by her grandchildren, her daughter and Marty's sister.

Mimi Laney.

Other friends and loved ones.

Former First Lady Betty Ford.

Sanders.

Former First Lady Sandra Diehl.

The legendary coach Vince Dooley.

And Speaker David Ralston.

Just to name a few.

The holidays will look different for us this year with their absence.

And I know many of you here in watching at home have experienced your own loss this year.

But it is all together important that we remember them and we keep their memories close and that we celebrate their impact on our lives during this time of year.

The Curse Christmas is all about the hope and promise of good overcoming evil of life, overcoming death, and the joy that awaits us when we are reunited with these loved ones.

Thanks to the birth and sacrifice of God's own son.

Tonight we recall the words of Scripture, and the angel said unto them.

Fear not for behold.

I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For it is on to you.

Born this day in the City of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.

The most precious Christmas gifts continues to inspire us.

Roughly 2000 years later, even now, his example encourages us to seek peace and goodwill, even among those who we disagree with or even those who have trespassed against us.

This season reminds us of the value of forgiveness, unites us despite our division and uplifts us in spite of personal challenge or loss.

On this cold, dark evening, I'm reminded of just how resilient the people of Georgia are.

The light that will soon, soon, soon shine from this Christmas tree against that darkness will reflect the continuing glow of hope.

Traditions like these remind us of that hope, and they rekindle our faith after the pandemic and season of uncertainty.

We are now in a time of restoration and renewed belief for a better future, stronger families, safer communities in the United State and nation.

We're thankful for all these blessings and more.

We're also grateful for the men and women serving in the military, law enforcement officers, first responders, and the health care heroes who will not be able to celebrate with their families this year while they answer the call to duty.

It is thanks to that service and sacrifice that we are able to celebrate nights like this in peace and in safety.

On behalf of the entire Kemp family, it is my hope that this Christmas brings us all closer together and brings peace and goodwill to all, to all Georgians.

May God bless you.

May God bless your families.

And hey, man.

And may he continue to bless this great state of Georgia.

Merry Christmas.

Marty will now count us down as she prepares to light the tree.

Thank you all for being here.

You ready?

Five, four, three, two, one.

Yes.

Merry Christmas.

All right, well, be with you in the movie the three.