Some Christian enterprises have worked hard, getting the big store retailers to go back to using “Merry Christmas,” as a greeting rather than the more generic terms many have switched to, such as “Happy Holidays,” or “Season’s Greetings .” Even if some are attempting to separate themselves from the connection that the birth of Christ has to the season, the phrases they are using still testify to it . The word holiday comes from the term Holy Day . Season’s Greetings gives testimony to the season of Christmas . Every New Year, the calendar reminds the world of the event that the calendar begins from, and that is of course the coming of the Saviour into the world .
The climate and geography in our own area is remarkably similar to that of Israel . You’ll note that all around us the hills are greening with new grass . It sprang up within a few days after that good rain we had a recently . The same thing happens this time of year on the hills around Bethlehem . Soon after, the shepherds are on those hills with their sheep grazing on that choice tender grass . It’s that season . We celebrate the birth of our Lord upon the earth at the right time of the year . The when of his birth is important because it was at “the fullness of time .” The where of his birth is important too, because it was in fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy . Important as well, is the how of his birth, because it was of a virgin who was overshadowed of the Holy Spirit . But perhaps most important of all was the why of his birth . He came to give Himself, “a ransom for many .” He came “to seek and to save that which was lost .” Oh, yes, we do have a good many reasons to celebrate our Saviour’s birth, and to have a “Merry Christmas!”