I read recently that Christmas has become one of the most complicated seasons of the year. How sad is that! Christmas is recognized and celebrated by billions around the world as the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God! Why is that so complicated? Is pressure coming from anti-religious, hostile individuals to turn Christmas into just another holiday, one without a religious connection? Do we find ourselves unwittingly complying to the secularization of this holy season instead of defending the holiness of this wondrous event?
“’For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord'” (Luke 2:11).
The “War on Christmas” dates back to 1959 and can be felt in the deliberate change of “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays.” This now-accepted—and expected!—greeting has become part of the days and weeks leading up to the celebrated date of Christ’s birth and has only contributed to the secular influence on the season. People just don’t know what to say or even how to respond. Or do they? I for one say, “Merry Christmas” as often as I can, to anyone, without apology.
Viewing Christmas as one of the most complicated seasons is very disturbing, and is further upsetting with the use of Xmas to those of us who recognize the need to keep Christ in Christmas! It would appear that those opposed to the Christian influence on the season have degraded it into a spending frenzy when mega-buck shopping has become the norm. Those who have fallen victim to such a frenzy are blind to the inevitable: enormous bills, come January… and sadly, are blind to the real reason for the season, Christ incarnate.
I have a question for you: Have you ever wondered why this celebration is called Christmas? A search on the internet will reveal the history of which most of us are unaware, so allow me to share what I’ve discovered. The word is a shortened form of “Christ’s mass”, or “Cristes Maesse” as it was first recorded in 1038. The term Christ—or Crīst in its original form—comes from the Greek word Khrīstos, a translation of the Hebrew word Messiah, which means anointed. The second part of Christmas – maesse – is a version of the Latin word missa, the celebration of the Eucharist tradition of eating bread and drinking wine in memory of Jesus.
There is much more to discover in the meaning of a word we so respectfully use and value; but I heard a song this week that has put new light on understanding why this celebration is called Christmas. It was in a Christmas story on YouTube. The movie is entitled, “The Least of These ” and the song, That’s Why They Call it Christmas is written and sung by Ricky Lee Phelps. The story is a “charming Christmas tale of hope, forgiveness, and faith that centers around a single mom, her seven-year-old daughter, and a Salvation Army Santa Claus.” The song, if not the movie, may cause you to pause in your busy schedule, to ponder the idea that every day should be Christmas and hopefully, provide you with a fresher understanding of why the season is called Christmas.
I wish you a joyous, Christ-centred Christmas as you focus on the true reason for this wonderful, holy season of celebration…
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16-17
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Thanks for sharing that song really says it all Merry Christmas ❤️
Hey!! So nice to ‘hear’ from you, especially at Christmas. Yes, the song does say it all. I bought it and downloaded it onto my Itunes and just had to share it. Trust you, Kem and the whole family will have a joyous Christmas and a healthy New Year. I really do have wonderful memories of our time in Thorndale, and it’s so wonderful to see you as ‘friends’ with Brad on FB:) Love to you both!!
Love the song Ruth. Every Christmas, among other meaningful hymns I always think of one called, “Love Came Down at Christmas” a poem written by Christina Rossetti, 1830 -1894. The first verse –
“Love came down at Christmas,
love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas’
Star and angels gave the sign.”
Thinking of you and Doug at this beautiful time and sending His love, health and joy to you this Christmas.
Hi Heather! Lovely to hear from you, as always! Interesting verse you shared from the poem, “Love Came Down at Christmas.” The title reminds me of a Christmas speaking engagement I had in 2014 that I shared at the Salvation Army here in Lindsay. It was entitled, “Love Came Down. And He was the Light of the World.” My closing comment was this, “During this holiday season, let’s remember why Love came down. Not just so we can celebrate a season of gift giving, but so we can celebrate the birth of the Light of the world, the Saviour of the world.”
You are a special friend, Heather, who has been so kind and supportive even with the passing of time and the distance between our homes. You are very much appreciated. I trust and pray you will have a wonderful, God-centred Christmas. Blessings always!
Ruth, this is a timely meditation. Thanks!
My kids are grown up and I have a 10 yr old grandson with whom it’s fun to be.
Life has a different rhythm but it’s a good one. I’m so grateful for the manner in which God has been doing a restorative work in me, in my life. He is truly an awesome God.
Have blessed Christmas Ruth as best wishes to Doug too.
HI Ruth! SO lovely to see your name appear in the comment line of my blog page!! I am encouraged that you found purpose and meaning in what I wrote this month. It’s always reassuring to know that someone was blessed by what I shared:) And, indeed, God is truly an awesome God. We pray aware that He hears and answers prayers according to His will for our lives, and when that happens, we stand amazed!! So wonderful to hear He is “doing a restorative work” in your life. Trust you and Dennis and family will have a blessed, Christ-focussed Christmas. Blessings always!