Hello bloggy friends! Happy Holidays!
Did you just cringe at those two little words? Why is that? Why do some people in the Christian-religious circles not like that greeting? If you don't care for it, why? Seriously, why? What is it that bothers you about it?
It used to bother me. I found myself offended that others were saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". People should know it's Christmas starting from November 26 - December 25. Or if you are of some religions, December 26th for St. Stephen's Day or January 6 for Epiphany. Any way you slice it, Christmas...no CHRISTmas gets at least a good month of solo-show.
Yes, I'm a bit tongue-in-cheek here, and I'm sorry if I have ruffled your feathers. May I give you -humbly - my newest thought about this struggle? Again, this is just my opinion, and as my dear hubby so sweetly says, "Opinions are like --- - every body's got one." (Please fill in the "---" with the appropriate anatomy... you know what he meant.) So, here we go. With my opinion.
First, December was the chosen time frame to MOVE the celebration of Christmas to counter-act a pagan holiday that had already claimed this time of year for festivities. Some scholars believe Christ's birth was probably in the spring, around the time of Passover.
Second, though for several hundred years Christmas was the "top dog" of holidays during December, it's "pagan" counterparts have always been around too. To think that this ("this" being the de-Christmasing of the season" is a new phenomena is not really accurate. I tend to look at it more of an ebb and flow kind of thing.
Third, since there are other days of festivity for other faiths going on during December, isn't it a bit arrogant on our part to assume everyone has to say our Christian greeting, even if they are not celebrating Christmas? I know that stings a little, but let me explain. If you say, "Merry Christmas!" to someone in the street and they reply, "Happy Hanukkah!" are you offended? Does it bother you they didn't say "Merry Christmas!"? I doubt it. In our minds, Jews have every right to celebrate their holiday, right? What if someone doesn't believe in Jesus or God and isn't trying to be offense so their only polite, respectable response is "Happy Holidays"? Why is THAT greeting so bothersome?
Fourth, and finally, what do you see in the word "holiday"? Do you see "holy-day"? If none of my other points seem acceptable to you then perhaps this might help. When someone says, "Happy Holidays", just take it as their innocent way of saying "Happy Holy-Days" and keep Christmas in your own heart. We don't want to be, as those people we've all seen, so obtuse they think everyone has to keep Christmas in their hearts, even if they don't know who Jesus is.
When it all comes down to it, what we say as our holiday greeting is far less important as what is in our hearts. And if we are really set on making sure everyone we come in contact with knows about Jesus and His birth, let's do it in a way that honors Him, brings Him glory...and that way is in love. Every time, its in love.
I don't know where this poem came from, but its one of my favorites for this season and an appropriate ending to my jumbled thoughts:
Let us keep Christmas softly,
Apart from crowds and noise and vain display.
Let us hang garlands fresh of prayer and praise
All love entwined in glad array
In deep chambers of the heart where He,
The Holy Child, alone may see and gladdened be
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