This has been an amazing feast day, celebrating the birth of our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ. And for weeks many have politicized the importance of keeping Christ in Christmas, refusing to say happy holidays. I like saying happy holidays because it doesn't take away from Christmas but includes Thanksgiving and New Years Day in the well wishes.
We are experiencing a season of goodwill towards men with the religious holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years/Theophany. Thanksgiving, an American holiday designed to thank God for His many blessings, offers an increased awareness to charitable giving and feeding the poor as a sign of thankfulness. It's also a holiday that focuses on the sanctity of family and gratitude.
During the weeks leading up to Christmas many of us saw Santas ringing bells outside stores collecting change for humanitarian aid. When we celebrate the incarnation of Christ we remember the Magis bearing gifts and Jesus' commandment: “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you didit to Me.’" Matthew 25:37-40
And soon we will be bettering ourselves with resolutions for the new year as we remember the feast day, the Circumssion of our Lord. And later the necessity to "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand," with the a great Feast of our Lord's Transfiguration, and St. John the Baptist.
So you see, this is a cluster of holy days not just one. It's doesn't deny Christ anything to say Happy Holidays. It only confirms that these months are sacred and worthy of celebration.
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