Merry Christmas!!
I saw a post about Christ in Christmas. So many places Of business opt for “Season’s Greetings.”
While there are a couple other celebrations happening in December, let’s be honest....it’s CHRISTMAS the retail world is recognizing, if not celebrating.
I’ve got friends who are Muslim, Jewish, and even a Buddhist. I will wish them a Merry Christmas in the best tradition of Christian welcome and fellowship. I’m pretty sure they will know where I’m coming from and what I hope for them. And, I’m pretty sure they won’t feel I’ve tried to discriminate or convert them.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Seasons Greetings!
Trivia ahead.....
Yuletide (12days of Christmas): Dec. 25-Jan. 5 (Epiphany Eve) Traditionally celebrated for centuries
Advent Season: Fourth Sunday before Christmas until Christmas Day
Began celebrating in North America as its economic impact became apparent
Mid-20th century, cultural sensitivity led to the use of simply The Season
Legal: The government (at all levels) has been challenged when displaying Christmas icons, and most have changed to using more subtle references, as well as including other religions’ icons.
Some have recently determined to use the terms “Seasons Greetings” or “Happy Holidays,” while others have switched to “Merry Christmas.”
There are many Christian denominations that don’t celebrate Christmas.
So, now where do we go with this? Is it wrong to say Seasons Greetings? Is it wrong to say Merry Christmas?
Maybe we need, instead, to look at where we are coming from. Let’s start with the “Golden Rule.”
Matthew 7:12
The Most Important Rule
12 “Do to others what you want them to do to you. This is the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets.
Matthew 22:36-40
36 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus answered:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets[a] are based on these two commandments.
What are we trying to say or do, as Christians, when we say Merry Christmas? What exactly does this mean?
Well, middle of the first millennia, the word merry had a different meaning than it does today. It meant pleasant, peaceful, and agreeable. So, when John Fisher wrote Thomas Cromwell a seasons greetings letter in 1540, he said,
“And this our Lord God send you a mery Christmas, and a comfortable, to your heart’s desire.”
Now enter Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge in Victorian 1843 with the now current Merry Christmas, when the word merry began to mean jovial and outgoing.
We’re still behind the eight ball.
Again, WHAT is it we are trying to say??
Have a Merry Christmas! Do you mean you want me to have fun and be friendly? Do you want me to be peaceful?
We, as Christians, are charged with making Disciples, as decreed by the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Are the critics right? Are we trying to convert them...away from their own religion...when we offer a Christian expression of good tidings? Aren’t we (Christians) supposed to convert them??
Whew.....this is much more complex than the Hallmark Channel makes it out to be.
Let’s consider this. How do we want to make people feel?
Here it is, it’s your turn.
What if what we want to say is this:
This is a time of celebration for Christians. A time when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. You may not believe in Him. But, He would want me to treat you as my brothers and sisters. With that heartfelt message, I greet you in a way that is meaningful to me. Feel free to greet me in a way that is meaningful to you.
Afterall, isn’t that what Christ wants? Not only to make disciples and followers to obey His law, but for us all to live in love and peace.
Dark Side: But....if they don’t believe in Him, aren’t they going to Hell?
According to Jesus, one must believe in Him to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He doesn’t say where they will be if they don’t go to Heaven.
He is quoted in John 14:6,
“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
We’d like to see everyone learn of God’s benevolence, and accept who He is.
But, maybe, when the person we’re greeting can’t or won’t, we can at least offer them a message of peace and love.
I’ve got friends who are Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Baha’i. I will wish them a Merry Christmas in the best tradition of Christian welcome and fellowship. I’m pretty sure they will know where I’m coming from and what I hope for them. And, I’m pretty sure they won’t feel I’ve tried to discriminate or convert them.
My wish for a Merry Christmas, for me, is my message intended to wish anyone well, regardless or what religion or even no religion. Might be worth a try.
Merry Christmas!
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