Should we greet people we meet at this time of the year with "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays?"
As I see it, there are actually two events which happen in the latter part of the month of December every year. Chronilogically, in its beginning, is the birth of Jesus Chrisr. The second, instilled in the lives of mankind, is the celebration of the act of giving and receiving of gifts.
Billions of people around the world celebrate or or the other of these events. Many celebrate both events. But how do we distinguish which we are celebrating? How do we avoid the offense to others which is prevalent today?
Two centuries have passed since God sent His Son into the earthly world to save His creation from their sins and bring them eventually into a heavenly eternal residence with Him in Heaven. During that period of time, we have celebrated that world changing event for exactly what it is. Multitudes of persons have understood and accepted the Message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. they now await the return of Jesus. They now await their entry into the eternal home God has promised to them.
Now, over those two centuries that event has been partnered with the celebration of the giving and recieving of gifts. Granted, God's work in sending His Son into the world in the flesh as a baby, is the undescribable gift as is mentioned by the Apostle Paul . There is no denying that. And, admittedly, His gift to us is a vauable lesson that we should enact that quality of giving in our lives as we interact with our fellowman.
But, even with much instruction and example as we have before us in the Word of God, how have we come to the situation where we "have" to exchange gifts. And, a larger question in my mind, is why have we attached that tradition to God's giving of the greatest, most meaningful gift. We have not only attached our December giving as a tradition, but we have allowed that practice to overshadow God's gift to us.
So, is it "Merry Christmas" or is it "Happy Holidays.?"
Again, as I wrote above, as I see it, we are actually celebrating two events. One, the coming of the Son of God, Jesus Christ to the world in the flesh in the form of a baby, conceived and born under supernatural circumstances. Two, our desire to give material gifts to those for whom we possess love or obligation. At the same time, while we are giving we can expect a gift from the recipient(s) of our gift(s).
So, as I see it, we should, or in the least - could - say both. When we are celebrating, or recognizing the coming of the Christ Child to intervene in the world, to save the world, we should greet others by saying, "Merry Christmas." When we are exchanging gifts, because we care for these others, or because that is what is expected of us in the latter part of December, then the greeting "Happy Holidays" is appropriate.
As I see it, there are actually two events which happen in the latter part of the month of December every year. Chronilogically, in its beginning, is the birth of Jesus Chrisr. The second, instilled in the lives of mankind, is the celebration of the act of giving and receiving of gifts.
Billions of people around the world celebrate or or the other of these events. Many celebrate both events. But how do we distinguish which we are celebrating? How do we avoid the offense to others which is prevalent today?
Two centuries have passed since God sent His Son into the earthly world to save His creation from their sins and bring them eventually into a heavenly eternal residence with Him in Heaven. During that period of time, we have celebrated that world changing event for exactly what it is. Multitudes of persons have understood and accepted the Message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. they now await the return of Jesus. They now await their entry into the eternal home God has promised to them.
Now, over those two centuries that event has been partnered with the celebration of the giving and recieving of gifts. Granted, God's work in sending His Son into the world in the flesh as a baby, is the undescribable gift as is mentioned by the Apostle Paul . There is no denying that. And, admittedly, His gift to us is a vauable lesson that we should enact that quality of giving in our lives as we interact with our fellowman.
But, even with much instruction and example as we have before us in the Word of God, how have we come to the situation where we "have" to exchange gifts. And, a larger question in my mind, is why have we attached that tradition to God's giving of the greatest, most meaningful gift. We have not only attached our December giving as a tradition, but we have allowed that practice to overshadow God's gift to us.
So, is it "Merry Christmas" or is it "Happy Holidays.?"
Again, as I wrote above, as I see it, we are actually celebrating two events. One, the coming of the Son of God, Jesus Christ to the world in the flesh in the form of a baby, conceived and born under supernatural circumstances. Two, our desire to give material gifts to those for whom we possess love or obligation. At the same time, while we are giving we can expect a gift from the recipient(s) of our gift(s).
So, as I see it, we should, or in the least - could - say both. When we are celebrating, or recognizing the coming of the Christ Child to intervene in the world, to save the world, we should greet others by saying, "Merry Christmas." When we are exchanging gifts, because we care for these others, or because that is what is expected of us in the latter part of December, then the greeting "Happy Holidays" is appropriate.
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