Merry Xmas? I Think Not

I don’t know when society stopped saying Merry Christmas and instead began saying and
writing Merry Xmas or Happy Holidays. I believe it started about 30 years ago or that’s when I remember noticing that people started saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas so they wouldn’t offend others. It was also at this time that I noticed stores would write Merry Xmas because it was shorter. It was written in fake snow on store windows everywhere. It was also at that time that I decided that I would say Merry Christmas and not Happy Holidays because Christmas was the holiday that I was celebrating. Moreover, I decided to NEVER write Merry Xmas, as a matter of fact I don’t even celebrate Xmas. Xmas, bothers me more than Happy Holidays because X has historically been known to be used to replace or remove names. The most popular example is when Malcolm Little became Malcolm X. Likewise, it seems that Xmas is a way for society to take Christ out of Christmas; to make it even more commercial. Contrary to popular belief, without Christ there is no Christmas. It does not matter what you believe or don’t believe, Christmas is about Christ not Santa, not Rudolph, and not the Elf on the Shelf.

Christ, the perfect gift was given freely to all of us. He paid the cost of our sin, and His purpose was to save the world from sin. And although, Christ was not actually born on December 25th, this is the day that the world celebrates His birth. For me everything centered around Christmas is about Christ. For example, the Christmas tree is an evergreen and that says everlasting life. The Christmas lights remind me that Jesus is the light of the world, the star on the top of the tree reminds me of the star of David, and the gifts remind me that even though baby Jesus was given gifts, He was the ultimate gift. So, regardless of what you believe and even if Christmas is just a gift giving fad to you, it is and always will be about Christ so remember to say Merry Christmas with gladness to all you see this Christmas season.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for being the light of the world. Help us to remember to share Your story this Christmas season. Help us to remember to say Merry Christmas and not Happy Holiday because as always, Jesus is the reason for the season. Thank You, Lord, for Christ who came to save the world. In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen.
By Sis. Pat Towns