Monday, December 10, 2012

Sincerely; MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Photo courtesy of Photobucket




My two favorite decorating and cooking networks, were having their holiday decorating and baking shows so I tuned in for ideas and inspiration.  I was thoroughly enthralled with all the prettiness and yumminess going on, until I began to notice that Christmas was not mentioned one time.  There was no mistaking that the theme was Christmas, but it was totally obvious that the hosts went out of their way to say Holiday instead of Christmas.  This so irks me!

When I was growing up we said Happy Holidays to encompass Christmas, Boxing Day (a Canadian and British holiday), and New Year’s; not as a replacement for Merry Christmas.  

Retailers, corporations, and government in the name of being non-offensive, are being totally offensive by demanding that their employees only say Happy Holidays.  Give them, and us, a little credit to use our own discernment.  If your TV show is all about Christmas decorating, the chances are that if we are tuning in to it, we celebrate Christmas.  If your pies are Mincemeat, call it Christmas; if you’re making latkes and rugelach, call it Hanukkah.  If my cart is full of Christmas wrap, allow the clerk to decide if he or she wants to tell me, “Merry Christmas”; if another’s cart is filled with blue, white and silver Hanukkah decorations, they may want to tell them, “Happy Hanukkah”.  The clerk may decide to only say, “Have a nice day”; but let it be their decision.

Please don’t use Christmas as a weapon either.  I know that there are those who purposefully listen for, “Merry Christmas”, and when they don’t hear it they wield it like a sword.  Why would anyone want to celebrate Christmas or have anything to do with Christianity if it makes you such a grumpapotamous?

No “Merry Christmas” is meant to be said with sincerity and good will; after all it's really good news! Luke 2:10, Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

What really bothers me is that I see God taken more and more out of the equation; but by this I know that the end times are coming closer.  For some Christians this is very exciting, because Jesus will return; they’re like, “Bring it on”.  While I am excited for Jesus’ return, I am also very sad, because I know there are many who will suffer and perish in the tribulation.  I just finished reading Daniel, who was given the visions of what is to come.  In Daniel 10:16 “…My Lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.”  There are several times when Daniel is so overwhelmed with sorrow that he is faint, and sick because of what he saw would happen in the time to come.  This is what the Lord said to Daniel in 10:19, And he said “O man greatly beloved, fear not!  Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”  So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”   

We should reflect, even have fear and sorrow for what is to come, but we cannot allow these emotions to paralyze us.  Be strengthened by the word of God and in the Spirit of the season, show others the love of Jesus and tell them that you are celebrating the birth of our Savior.  It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, but take the time to be polite, maybe do something nice for someone, and definitely say a HEARTFELT “MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

This is what the angels sang when Jesus was born: Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  That sums up Christmas to me.  Merry Christmas!


This post is linked to:
Into The Word Wednesdays

5 comments:

  1. Hello your items I find interesting, I visited your website and I noted some recipes. From Spain I invite you to visit my blog Valencia kitchen every week I updated, is very positive about other food cultures.

    Valenciagastronomic.blogspot.com.es

    Of course you know the TARONCELLO (homemade), in late December on my blog only uncover her secret ....

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    1. Thank you for commenting on my blog. I am glad to meet new people, especially from other cultures. I am inspired by your photographs and your recipes!

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  2. This kills me too! I want to call everything Christmas _______. "Here, have some Christmas cookies! Isn't this weather so Christmasy?" "I feel like Christ is actually in this slice of gingerbread I'm eating!" Ok, maybe not that far.

    But Christmas IS Christ.

    Love that you believe the same. :)

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  3. Thanks Kari for your sweet comment on my blog! Your email isn't listed so I'm just responding here :)

    My husband is such a sport for putting up with all my photo taking demands :P

    What are some of your favorite holiday dates or dates in general? Do you like them elaborate or simple? Group dates or one on one?

    Oh and welcome to Bella :)

    Love,
    Elisabeth

    lavitaebella-elisabeth.blogspot.com

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    1. Elizabeth, I am a simple girl. My favorite dates are the ones where there is no celphone reception. I like undivided attention from my man!

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