I am absolutely positively sure the greeting "Merry Christmas!" did not originate from the insight I have found within it. Nonetheless, it is worth meditating on the meaning embedded in those two words. So, think along with me:
'Merry' can easily be 'Mary.' Then the greeting becomes "Mary's Christmas!". Without Mary in Christmas, there is, quite simply, no Christmas! In the order of time, Mary's life comes before Christ's. But in the order of celebration, Mary's Christmas is ALL about celebrating the coming - the birth - of Jesus the Christ. Even her lovely song of praise of God, the Magnificat, she sang after the Incarnation of Jesus within her womb. Her celebration is all about Christ. We would do well to imitate her celebration of Christmas and the Incarnation of the Son of God!
And that brings us to "Christmas." The word Christmas contains 'Christ.' Its impossible to remove. Just as 'holiday' contains 'holy.' Whether we say "Happy Holidays!" or "Merry Christmas!" the reason for the season is Jesus Christ. The holiness of Christmas and the holidays is all about Christ! Mary always brings us to celebrate Christ. That's the way both of them want it. It's their two heart's desire that we celebrate God's Love of us. John 3:16, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that we might have eternal life! Eternal life is the embedded meaning in Christ and Christmas!
And that brings us to Mass! "Mass" is the other syllable in "Christmas." Perhaps the original greeting was "have a merry Christ Mass." Who knows? It certainly fits the occasion. For Jesus enjoins us to celebrate the Eucharist, the Sacrament of eternal life, His very Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, welling up to eternal life!
So... Mary brings us to Christ at Christmas! And Christ brings us to Mass at Christmas! (It is His Body and Blood that is born this day!). And the Mass brings us to Eternal Life on Christmas!
No wonder people who hardly ever go to church attend church on Christmas. Midnight Masses are packed. They know what Mary knew on the first Christmas, however dimly they see it. Christ is Life! Welcome Baby Jesus! Thank you Mary! Thank you Jesus! Merry Christmas Everyone!!
Meditating on the Meaning of "Merry Christmas"
Dec
25
2011
0
By Anonymous (not verified)
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