Merry Christmas

This morning I thought about changing a Christmas tradition.  I know it's easier to steer a freighter with a spoon, but let's at least talk about it.  Some things that we do we don't think through why we do them.

 

Have you ever heard where the tradition of Christmas trees comes from? But, that's not the one.

 

Do you know that we really have no idea how many "magi" there were.  Just because there were three gifts doesn't mean there weren't 40 givers.  But, "we forty kings of Orient are..." doesn't role off the tongue as easy - but that's not the one.

 

Everyone has favorite songs to sing during Christmas, Why don't we sing "Ding Dong Merrily on High?" or, "Good King Wenceslas?" or, why don't we actually eat "figgy pudding."  That's not the one either.

 

My crosshairs are aiming at "Merry Christmas."  You can do the google search and see where and when it came up, and I'm not saying it's bad... it's just not enough.

 

Is that the best followers of Christ can do?  Is being "merry" what we are really longing for people?  In light of the full Christ event do we want to limit people to a "merry" day?

 

"May you have a true encounter with a repentant heart and an awareness of His forgiving grace Christmas," doesn't seem to be marketable even if it might be more theological.  That wouldn't fit on cards or in songs.

 

"Have a deep realization of the eternal ramifications of the incarnation." may not be the best replacement either.

 

"I hope the anointing of the Holy Spirit of God heals and makes you whole bringing His gift of salvation, His complete sanctifying work, and His seal for your eternal home with God." isn't going to cut it either.

 

Maybe asking for a change in the phrase isn't a good plan.  What about a change in heart?  What about believers saying, "Merry Christmas," and praying in their spirits, "I pray that you would know Jesus in a new way."  We could say what tradition has said and mean something much deeper.  Hidden in those two words there could be intercession, and longing, and passion, and blessing.  They could be said from a heart set on fire.  They could be said with eye contact when possible.  The same thing could be said in a new way.

 

I'll go first.

 

"Merry Christmas"

 

Pastor Dave