Merry Christmas!
In society today, it is not politically-correct to wish others Christmas Greetings. And yet, Christ bore His cross for us, knowing full well that His message of reconciliation and redemption would not be popular with the political and social elite. The least I can do is pick up my own small cross and risk a blank stare or harsh word in return.
Perhaps non-believers or those of other faiths will be offended by these words. When we wish someone a "Merry Christmas," we verbalize our desire that another of God's creation experience the message that Christ brings: God's Love, Peace, and Joy is for us all. Whether you are Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Agnostic, Atheistic, or uncertain, these gifts and God's grace are what He desires for us. "Merry Christmas" means I desire them for you as well.
We Christians complain about the mainstream media and the commercialization of the Christmas season. We despair over their substitution of "XMas" for "Christmas." For the record, abbreviating "Christmas" as "Xmas" existed long before political correctness was born. "X" is the Greek letter "Chi" and was used to represent Christ as early as the 9th century. Christ in Greek is "Xristos". Since the first texts were written in Greek and later translated into other languages, the use of this abbreviation is arguably biblical. Many, particularly the mainstream media believe they have been successful in "removing Christ from Christmas." And yet, He remains nonetheless as it should be. The question for those of us who believe remains: Will we remove Christ from our dialogue or will we share the true spirit of Christmas with others?
May God bless you and your family with His unending abundance, love and peace.
