Opinion : Pastor\'s Blog - Christmas is a Happy Holiday

“Happy Holiday” has become a surprisingly controversial greeting. Use of this greeting is mandatory for some, especially employees of certain large retailers, TV personalities, and others who must avoid sounding religious. It is anathema to others who fear it somehow makes Christmas less Christian. Both are misguided. At risk of seeming to be on the wrong side of the argument or triggering some sort of boycott, let me suggest that Christmas is a happy holiday.

Christmas derives from Christ Mass. As a sidebar, we note that “keeping Christ in Christmas” is not done by sloganeering but by keeping the Christ Mass, that is, by worshipping the Christ. It is a uniquely Christian activity and obligation that cannot be forced on or performed by others. Only Christians can keep Christmas, and Christmas is a fitting name for the festival of the Nativity.

But let us make the case for holiday. The word is obviously from holy day. Webster’s New World Dictionary says that holy means: “belonging to or coming from God.” As God is special, unique, incomparable, things belonging to or coming from God are special, sacred, and holy. Holiday surely has lost some of this meaning as it is applied to national days of recognition or ordinary days off work. But the original reason for days off work was because of church festivals, and in Europe they still have many such holidays. It’s just that no one goes to church any more.

What is Christmas if not a day of God, i.e., a holy day—a holiday? What more appropriate greeting than to say, “I hope you have a day belonging to or coming from God, a day special and filled with the divine?” I think it’s nice of Wal-Mart to say this to us as we check out.

As a holiday, Christmas seems genuinely happy. Easter, generally thought to be the greater feast day, is wrapped in mystery. While we rejoice in Christ’s resurrection, it is always connected to the cross, as our own resurrection is predicated by our death. It’s hard to be frivolous about that. Merry is defined as “full of fun and laughter, pleasant or amusing.” We would never say, “Merry Easter.” The traditional greeting is not about our feelings at all, but the proclamation, “Christ is risen!” Followed by, “He is risen indeed!”

Babies can be merry; they cause others to smile, even to laugh. The incarnation is as profound as the resurrection, but God was incarnate as a human baby. What is less threatening and more marvelous than the birth of baby? Nevertheless, I hope we are more than amused by babe of Christmas.

Happy is defined as “favored by circumstances.” We remember how the angel Gabriel addressed Mary saying, “Hail, O favored one.” It is further defined as: “having, showing, or causing a feeling of great pleasure, contentment, joy, etc.; joyous, glad, pleased.” The angel said to shepherds, “peace and good will among men with whom God is pleased.” God was happy.

Surely, Mary was happy, knowing she was favored by the circumstance told by Gabriel, “God is with you.” The shepherds heard good news that a baby was born who was Christ the Lord. They went, saw, and returned glorifying and praising God. Surely, they were happy.

I have heard people say “Merry Christmas” in tones exaggerated, not sounding merry, but in your face, defiant, argumentative, confrontational. It does not seem very

Jesus-like. When I see you on the street I will likely say, “Merry Christmas,” as is our custom. But please understand that what I really mean is, “I hope for you a joyous, holy day. I wish you a Happy Holiday!”

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www.bethlehemvinton.org

Rev. Mark C. Urlaub is the pastor of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church located at 1206 C Avenue in Vinton.