What Glenn Writes

With the foolishness of political correctness, we are often confused as to what are the proper words to use, especially around Christmas. Is it Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Can we use Xmas? I thought it would be a good idea to do some research about the whole Christmas name and the origins, just to ground myself a bit in what I know or thought I knew. 

As some might already know, the word “Christmas” originates as a compound meaning “Christ’s mass”. It is derived from Old English Crīstesmæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038.

When we break down Crīstesmæsse further, we find Christes comes from the Greek Khrīstos (Χριστός), a translation of the Hebrew word meaning “Messiah”; and mæsse is from Latin missa, the celebration of the Eucharist.

“Xmas” is not an abbreviation of Christmas, but an alternate form based on the initial letter chi (Χ) in Greek Khrīstos (Χριστός), or “Christ”. While some think it is taking Christ out of Christmas, the origins show it is merely another representation of Christ in the word.

This may be interesting to some, but does it answer the question as to the correct name for the holiday? No. The reason is simple: it is not the name of the holiday that gives the celebration the meaning; it is the intent of our hearts and our purpose in the celebration. Knowing the origins merely helps us formulate a response to those taking offense to the name we use for the holiday.

I’m not citing exact figures here, but let’s just say there are a gajillion people celebrating Christmas as believers (aka Christians). We have to recognize there are also a cazillion atheists celebrating a day off work, cashing in on Christmas deals, and many are exchanging gifts in their own traditions.

Does it really matter to me if they call the day a Winter Holiday and I call it Christmas? Am I offended? Absolutely not.

Does it bother me if they are offended? Absolutely not.

With the options available to us today, if someone is offended by the holiday name “Christmas”, they can buy a calendar that calls the day whatever they want to call it. I will not require them or expect them to call it Christmas, but they shouldn’t require or expect me to call it what they want to call it, either.

Yet, as a believer, what should be my response? Let’s check out Peter’s answer in 1 Peter 3:15-16:

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

My response should begin with knowing in my heart Christ is my Lord. My relationship with Him lays this out very well. Then, I should be prepared to give an answer if questioned regarding my hope, faith, or relationship with Christ. But, and here is the huge point often overlooked, my response must always be given with gentleness and respect.

These last two words are the key to expressing the true meaning of the holiday: Love.

What will be your response?

Glenn Sasscer
www.glennsasscer.com
Sign Up For Email Delivery For This Blog

There was something special about getting a new box of crayons as a kid. The box was still sturdy and rigid, even when you opened the lid. There was the new crayon smell. There were the sharp crayons, lined up like soldiers in the box and all in perfect color order.

New crayons.

Some kids would open the lid and dump their crayons out, snagging a couple here and there and drawing crude pictures on paper with no respect or reverence. They would casually cast the box aside, where it would fall on the floor and get kicked around. When it came time to clean up, the crayons would go back in the crumbled box in any mix-n-match order, some breaking as others would get jammed in so the lid could be crushed closed.

Two extremes, huh? › Continue reading

There are some days I struggle with my job. Ever have one of those? Fortunately, in America, I am not a slave to my employer and I have a choice; the door is always open for me to leave and find another place of work.

The door is always open. This door has two sides to it, though. Sometimes that open door looks like an escape route to me, while those on the other side are looking at the door as an opportunity for employment. We look at the same door, the same job… me, looking at it as an escape from a trap and others, looking at it as hope, a new start, the American dream, and freedom.

The funny thing about perspective is it doesn’t look the same from another’s viewpoint. › Continue reading

There’s that point when we are driving along the road and the car starts to slow down even though our foot is still on the accelerator. You know the point? We push the accelerator further and the car continues to slow. Then we are past the point and we know we have a problem.

There’s that point when we are trying to start the car and the engine turns over and over. Then we back off on the key, thinking spastically through the simple steps of putting the key in the ignition and turning it to see if we missed something important. You know the point? When we try it again, the engine keeps turning over, but still doesn’t catch. Then we are past the point and we know we have a problem.

There’s the point when we just remembered the meat in the oven, the food on the stove, or the burgers out on the grill. We were distracted, but maybe we’re not too late. You know the point? Yet, by the time we get there the burning smell is already proving we are too late. Then we are past the point and we know we have a problem.

There’s a point in our faith when we have coasted for a time, taking in life and following a routine. You know the point? We look back on the past days or weeks wondering if it is true, could we be deceived? Then we are past the point and we know we have a problem. › Continue reading

Luggage is eternal. Have you ever noticed how it seems like luggage just never dies or goes away, whether they are suitcases, duffle bags, knapsacks, or whatever the style? We can cart them off to the dump, throw them in the garbage cans, or give them away, but somehow they wind up back in the garage or attic… I haven’t quite figured that one out.

I wonder if that is why worry or concern is sometimes called excess baggage in our lives? We can cart the worries and concern off to the therapist, to the church, or give them away, but somehow they wind up back on us. › Continue reading

When I was a child, roller coasters were my passion at the amusement parks; I was hooked on those thrill inducing, heart pounding, stomach lurching coasters. From the anticipation of the first clackity-clack hill to the final braking at the departure gate, I loved every hill, every dip, every corner of the roller coasters. For me, there was a level of excitement and an adrenaline rush that just represented youth and life so well.

And then came adult life. For some reason, local festivals and carnivals filled the place of amusement parks until about two years ago when we were blessed with the ability to purchase season passes for Cedar Point. Now I am riding those same roller coasters, but I have my three teens riding with me and the experience is completely different. As a father, my concern for my three teens… my thoughts of being responsible for them, of taking care of them… clouded my roller coaster experience. › Continue reading

I will never die.

I have eternal life. I do not need to be a vampire, so I do not need to side with Edward or see any advantage to being on his team.

I do not need to find a fountain of youth to live forever. I have no use for pharmaceuticals to extend my life indefinitely. This body will die, but not the part of me that makes me who I am… the essence of Glenn. This part of me will continue to live eternally and will be given a new body (thankfully, this one is getting old and wore out). › Continue reading