Happy Holy Days!

¹¹ The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”-Nehemiah 8:11

Here we come holiday season!  And with it come the two biggest annual complaints:

1.  The Christmas season starts earlier and earlier every year.
2.  It's not "Happy HOLIDAYS" or "HOLIDAY trees,"  it's "Merry CHRISTMAS" and CHRISTMAS trees

So let's tackle these complaints and see if we can see them in a new light and stop our whining before it starts.

1.  It's easy to assume that it is the retailers that have Christmas starting about the same time as Halloween these days, and perhaps they are.  But if we REALLY hated it, the retailers would quickly get the message and would not want to anger the consumer.  I think a big part of us (even those who dread the commercial part of Christmas) look forward to the deeper message.  I think the world has gotten so tough, that we are ready for the messages of "Peace on Earth" and "Good Will Toward All" earlier and earlier.  I think we are so stressed these days that we crave the retelling of the amazing story of God Made Flesh.  Maybe starting Christmas right after Halloween isn't such a bad idea.

2.  So what is wrong with the word "Holiday?"  Do you know the etymology behind that word?  It comes from the words "holy" and "day"... holy day, meaning "religious festival."  If you prefer to SAY "Merry Christmas" there is certainly nothing wrong with that, but why should we take offense if someone wishes us "Happy Holy Days?"  As Christians we should be happy to accept others wishing us a good anything!

Let's not start advent with a defensive attitude this year.  Let's enjoy the season for everything it is. And everything it should be.

Father,
Prepare our hearts for advent.  Help us to enjoy the season but take time to focus on the reason.  Amen.

Joys:  Last day of the work week; Richard and Cecelia getting to spend today together; fun shoppping and dinner date with Richard last night