Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Maine

This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

It was the night of December 24, 1914, mere months into World War I, and a light dusting of snow was falling on the battlefield. Men in trenches on both sides of the front started singing Christmas carols, a surprising source of joy on a cold winter's night during a war. And as morning broke on Christmas Day, the soldiers cautiously met in the No Man's Land between their two armies, lowering their weapons to share a meal with each other, even though they were enemies just the day before.

The Christmas Truce, as it came to be called, would never be repeated. But it is always remembered as a moment of shared humanity and hope.

This year has been difficult for many, and I know that some folks may be struggling this holiday season. Some people may be on active duty, unable to be home for the holidays. Some may be having a hard time making ends meet, never mind buying gifts for friends and family. Some may not have close friends or family nearby to celebrate with. Some may be mourning the loss of a loved one who'll be missing from their table. Some may even be worried about disagreements with loved ones in this time of divisive national politics.

This holiday season, may we hold our family and friends, neighbors, and loved ones close, and may we be grateful for the gift of our time together. May we remember that for all our differences as people of many backgrounds and beliefs, there's a lot more that we have in common as people who share this beautiful state.

And may we reflect on the many reasons we have to hope that the New Year in our state will be bright. Creative people in innovative industries across Maine are inventing new products to make our state more competitive, and to make it an even greater place to live, work, and raise a family. For the first time in generations, people are moving here to start new careers drawn by a quality of life unlike anywhere else in the world. Every day, people who once dreamed of starting a new business, of going to college, of starting a family, are able to make those dreams a reality because our economy is strong, our schools are affordable, and our communities are safe. We have challenges that we're trying to solve, like the high cost of living, but we also have strengths that other states simply don't have, including the many talented people who call Maine home.

This holiday season, people of all faiths will be spreading a message of generosity and goodwill, of hope and happiness, and of peace for themselves and for all.

Whether you're gathering in a home warmly lit by the candles of a Menorah to celebrate Hanukkah, or by the lights on a tree to celebrate Christmas, or some other tradition, or if you're gathering with friends, family, and neighbors just to celebrate the end of another year, I want to wish you personally and all Maine people, a happy holiday season filled with joy and with love. Let's thank our first responders also, because they'll be on duty all through the holidays. And let's honor the sacrifice of service members and their families who keep us safe. And let the same hope of soldiers who sang Christmas carols a century ago to bring light to a moment of darkness uplift and unite us again.

So from my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas. And to Maine's Jewish community, Happy Hanukkah.

This is Governor Janet Mills. Happy Holidays, and thank you for listening.