Devotional thought of the day… err evening

It’s that time of year, when people get irritated and their reactions a bit haughty and even insistent.  Look at facebook – and see how many different people have posted how many different pictures with the same slogan, though different pictures of manger scenes, of Mary riding donkey in the evening. The slogan even more the focus than the Lord they sort of testify too…..

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS!!

i  understand the basic sentiment, and the idea of protecting a sacred holy day.  The insistence is absolute, the anger at those who greet “happy holidays” or other greetings so strong, you almost feel it.

My sense of irony reads these  comments, and occasionally petitions that we are asked to sign “online”.  Irony because I am not sure the “mas” part of Christmas is considered by those insisting to keep Christ in Christmas. Let me explain.

The “mas” in Christmas derives from a word related to gathering, or congregate, or crowd.  Related to the idea of the mass – the liturgy gathering, congregating of God’s people, and what they do together, receiving God’s gifts and in awe, glorifying and praising Him.

If we then, are going to keep Christ in Christmas, shouldn’t that include gathering to praise Him? To receive the gifts that He brings us, because He was hung on a tree?  Part of me wonders, how much time in prayer and reading God’s word, never mind worship, is spent by those who adamantly insist to keep Christ in Christ-mas.  Or are their gatherings more about other good things, family and friends and presents and such – but lack spending time with the One the day is named after, finding there isn’t enough time to gather with God’s family, to celebrate Jesus birth.

Keep Christ in your gatherings, gather with others who trust in Him, and rejoice in the reason for His birth.