And a Merry Christmas to all!

"Have a happy holiday, sir." the service attendant said as we closed the transaction, "and a Merry Christmas to you," I replied. "Merry Christmas!" he then said, with obvious enthusiasm. "Hey, guys, # 4 for Merry Christmas," he shouted to his co-workers in the shop with obvious glee. He then explained that the policy of the company forbade him to extned the traditional Christmas greeting to customers unless that customer said it first! The greeting was so rare, he said, that they were now keeping count. I was number four that week. The little exchange made me laugh. I guess all the noise that some people made about keeping Christ is Christmas is having some effect.

But, it isn't really a matter of words, is it? It's easy to wish somebody a Merry Christmas, but much more difficult to share the Christ of Christmas. A day after that incident in that auto service establishment, I went to our local county jail to conduct a service. Six men showed up and we sang Christmas carols together with gusto as I plunked out the tunes on my electric keyboard. We sounded nothing like the Mormon Tabernacle choir, to be sure, but we glorified God with worship. Emotion is off-limits for men who are behind bars, but there was a glint of tears in their eyes when we sang. We opened our Bibles to Romans and talked about the gift of God - eternal life - that Jesus Christ brought to us when He came to love us and to die for our sins. We were still having an animated discussion about God's love and our forgiveness when the officer knocked on the door to tell us that our time was up. It was much more than just a "Merry Christmas," and a wave! I had the opportunity to actually share the Christ of Christmas.

I sincerely hope that you will go beyond a cheery greeting, do more than share some brightly wrapped gifts with friends and family, in celebrating this wonderful Season. Don't settle for just a "Happy Holiday!" Make it a real "Merry Christmas," by remembering Jesus Christ and His love. Pull out your Bible on Christmas morning and ask your family if you can read them the story from the 2nd chapter of Luke's Gospel. Take a cue from Mary, the mother of Jesus, who heard the shepherd's report of angels in the sky, singing of a Messiah in a manger, and she "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19, NIV)

Meditate on the amazing fact that the Lord of Creation stepped over the threshold of time and space to become a Baby, that He submitted Himself to life as we know it, being "tempted in every way as we are," (Hebrews 4:15) so He is able to be our Great High Priest now in God's Holy Presence, interceding for us. Remember that He was purposefully born to die - the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world (and mine; and yours!)

Make sure to include times of personal and corporate worship in your celebration, too. Bow before the King of Glory and offer Him, anew, your life. It is the only Gift that is fitting for Him.
And my prayer is that you will have a Joyous Christmas, fillled with the Presence of the Lord Christ, Jesus our Savior.
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The words of this carol are familiar, but as you read them today- really read them!
They are amazing, wonderful, and tell the story inside and out.

Hark The Herald Angels Sing-- Wesley, Charles / Mendelssohn, Felix

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."

Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail, the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Come, Desire of nations, come!
Fix in us Thy humble home.
Rise, the woman's conqu'ring seed,
Bruise in us the serpent's head;
Adam's likeness now efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."

© Public Domain