Altar
Call – Opelika-Auburn News
Walter
Albritton
December
25, 2011
Be Merry Because Christmas Is Included In
Our Happy Holidays
Our culture is constantly changing. One current
example is the way “Merry Christmas” is being replaced by the words “Happy Holidays.”
Political correctness is the culprit. We must not offend non-Christians by
using a term that reminds people that Christmas is the birthday of Jesus.
Most merchants seem willing to embrace
the change. They have to sell their wares to make a living and a dollar is a
dollar. A non-Christian’s money is as welcome as that of a Christian.
Economically that is quite understandable.
The politically correct zealots have a major
problem and that is the word “Christmas.” I understand why they want to supplant
it with the word “holidays.” The difficulty is that the word “Christmas” has
the word “Christ” in it. So whether you are an atheist, a Christian, a Jew or a
Muslim, when you see the word “Christmas” you are confronted with the word
“Christ.” There is no way to avoid him.
The word “holidays” is bland; it offends
no one. And “merry” had to be replaced also; the words “Merry Holidays” would
have reminded people of “Merry Christmas” thus defeating the reason for the
change of terms. “Happy” was a logical substitute because everyone wants to be
“happy” especially in this season when buying things helps us honor “jolly old
Saint Nick.”
Christians need not fret this cultural
change. We can still be merry because Christmas is still including in our
“happy holidays.” Christmas remains a national holiday in America. And the word
itself reminds us of its origin. The word comes from two old English words, “Cristes
Maesse,” which means “Mass of Christ.” The word “Mass” is another word for the
celebration of Holy Communion or what the church calls the Eucharist. The
joining of the words “Christ” and “Mass” then gives us the now popular word
“Christmas.”
Obviously Christmas has many different
meanings in our society. For some the focus is on Santa, food and gifts. Even a
tree may now be a “holiday” tree instead of a “Christmas tree.” Gifts may be
happily exchanged around a tree on Christmas morning without any reference to
Jesus. Such a gathering may have rich meaning for a family even if Christ is
not mentioned.
Faith is the key that unlocks the deeper
meanings of Christmas. Faith reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world as
we enjoy the marvelous lights of this season. Faith prompts us to give not
merely to family and friends but the needy in our midst. Faith moves us to celebrate not only the birth but the crucifixion and the
resurrection of Jesus as we share in Holy Communion. Faith enables us to
embrace dear old Santa Claus with a smile but to fall on our knees in joyous
celebration that because God loves us he chose to become flesh in that
Bethlehem manger long ago. Glory! Merry Christmas! + + +