A December Message of Faith, Hope and Patriotism from U.S. Navy Chaplain Lt. Zack Parker
By Lt. Zack Parker, Chaplain, U.S. Navy // December 7, 2025
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM WASHINGTON D.C. TO THE SPACE COAST
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – In a world that feels increasingly rushed and disjointed, Christmas calls us back to the rhythms of peace, hope, and compassion that have shaped this season for generations.
I saw this Christmas culture unfold in the simplest of ways across the Space Coast growing up.
Christmas parades line our coastal towns in Merritt Island, Rockledge, and Cocoa, while together, families who get warmed up in hoodies, shorts, and flip flops, wave at high school bands, non-profits, and local heroes rolling by on decorated floats.
These parades remind us that community is not an abstract idea. It’s the sound of children cheering, neighbors greeting each other, crushed candy canes being tossed in the crowd, and the sense that even for a moment, we are united in joy.
Then comes one of the most cherished traditions of all: Christmas Eve candlelight services in churches across our county. The sanctuary lights dim at the end of the service, and a single flame is shared from person to person until the whole room glows.
It’s a moment that quiets the soul. Tears build up as the worship leader begins to lead the congregation in “Silent Night”. Even if you do not go to church regularly, these 7 minutes are worth the trip.
That small flame symbolizes the message at the heart of Christmas. It is the light that entered the world, and the darkness could not overcome it. In a time when many carry silent burdens, that light reminds us that no one walks alone.
John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
This season also has a way of drawing home those who have wandered far away. College students, young professionals, and others return to reconnect with family and childhood friends.
Their parents, laughing on the beach like no time has passed, or bringing vibrance to vacant malls. These reunions are more than nostalgia; they’re sacred reminders that roots matter, relationships are real, and that time together is one of life’s greatest gifts.
And across living rooms from Palm Bay to Port Canaveral, there is a quiet shift that happens as families grow older. The grandkids become the center of gravity. Their excitement for Christmas morning, their wide-eyed wonder, and even their messy cookie decorating bring a sense of renewal to the season. Through their joy, grandparents can find their own joy rekindled.
Christmas is not only a tapestry of bright memories. It is also woven with threads of hardship. Many families this year will gather around tables where a chair or chairs sit empty. Others feel the weight of financial strain, illness, or emotional fatigue.
But Christmas holds space for all of it. Its culture is not naïve; Christmas acknowledges that joy and struggle often walk hand in hand. And still, the season invites us to hope.
We know this because at the center of all these traditions stands the nativity and the birth of Jesus Christ. In a humble manger, a new era of love began.
A Savior entered the world not with wealth or power, but with peace, hope, and compassion. He came to show us that the greatest gifts we give are not found under a tree but are found in how we care for one another.
So instead of asking, “What do you want for Christmas?” perhaps the better question is this: “How can I pray for you this Christmas?”
Because in a world that feels increasingly rushed and disjointed, Christmas calls us back to the rhythms of peace, hope, and compassion that will continue to shape this season for even more generations to come.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In August 2020, Chaplain Parker reported for active duty as a staff chaplain at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL. While aboard NAS Jacksonville, he spearheaded an initiative selected as a 2022 Navy-wide best practice and was published by Pennsylvania State University’s Clearinghouse for Military Readiness.
In January 2024, Parker reported as command chaplain to the USS RAMAGE (DDG 61), supporting the crew in a permanent homeport change from Norfolk, VA, to Mayport, FL. Parker earned the Surface Chaplain Officer qualification pin onboard and was awarded 2nd Place at the Surface Navy Association’s National Symposium for his team’s video production.
In August 2025, Parker reported as installation chaplain to the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. His scope includes supporting 33,000 Sailors, civilians, and contract personnel across seven National Capital Region fence lines.
He serves as an adjunct professor for Liberty University, instructing courses in ethical leadership, spiritual growth, and professional chaplaincy studies.
Parker began his formal education at Florida State University, where he graduated with a B.A. in Editing, Writing, and Media (2012). He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Liberty Theological Seminary (2016) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2020). Chaplain Parker has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1 gold star), and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
