"Merry Christmas" or "Merry Christnatum"!

Literally, when we celebrate “Christmas” the Oxford Dictionary of English History indicates that we're celebrating “Christ-Mass”. “Mass” is a Catholic service which is also performed by closely associated denominations. It literally means “dismissed”. After the service the priests then dismisses the partakers. Mass has several steps in music and scripture leading up to the Eucharist, the taking of the bread and wine. Whereas, protestants believe that the taking of the elements is an ordinance, Catholics consider it a sacrament. Protestants take “Communion” as one of only two ordinances: baptism and communion. Others also include “foot-washing” as an ordinance.

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While the wafer and “wine” (grape-juice for many protestants) are symbolic for most protestants, it is called transubstantiation in Catholic theology. “Transubstantiation” means that the host (bread and wine) is literally transformed when it's taken, into the body and blood of Christ! Many Christians have been killed by various torturous methods for refusing to accept what they considered idolatry; the existence of Christ in them. (Foxes Book of Martyrs).

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On a certain day for the Mass, participants on “All Souls Day” (November 2), there is a “Requiem Mass”. On All Souls Day the living pray for the dead in Purgatory by offering special prayers. “Purgatory” is a place where its proposed that the souls who have died in grace go to be expatiated (freed). Why does this matter? Our predecessors “protested” against such Masses, hence, “Protestants”. I'm not trying to denigrate Catholics, but there are extreme doctrinal differences. I pray that God will be graceful to us and to them whom I believe to be in error (excuse the lack of political correctness on my part).

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Now for my point! We protestants go out of our way to protect the use of “Merry Christmas”. Although, it's now tradition (336 AD) and December 25^th was set as Christ's birth by Sextus Julius Africanus (AD 221). It's not “forcing our beliefs”, but acknowledging not only history, but what history shows the people believed! It's fact and nothing of which to be ashamed or censored. (Censorship is a totalitarian technique).

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The giving of gifts is a pagan custom given to us by the Celts and Germans in the Middle ages. I really question the Christian aspect of giving gifts, but still encourage charity where it's needed. Gift-giving and receiving is sorely distorted and far removed from the celebration of Christ's birth!

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Luke (KJV) 2:10 : “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 : For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 : And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 : And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 : Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

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There is much to do with “Christmas” here:

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1. good tidings – Jesus is the “Good News”. With good news you want to announce it!
2. Born this day – That's the “Good News”. Jesus is born that day!
3. Christ the Lord – God was made flesh this day!
4. A savior – the god-man who will someday die to cover your sins so you don't have to.
5. Praising – We are to praise his birth! (Happy Holidays just doesn't cut the mustard).
6. Peace on earth – Love your neighbor. Be charitable. It should be a time to make amends to show love; even to your personal enemies.
7. Good will toward men – Love your neighbor as yourself. Be charitable to those who're in need. Take the stranger into your home.

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Where's the alcohol and partying mentioned? Where's the superfluous gift-receiving taught? Where's the demand for gratifying our material needs? All those things are temporal. We're to do what magnifies Christ and we're to manifest the love commanded by Jesus on the Mount!

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Now what do I suggest? I strongly believe that by wishing people “Merry Christ Mass” that we're at odds with our own beliefs. Let me coin a new Anglicized word from the Latin which more aptly describes what we're celebrating. Happy “birth of Christ” in Latin is “Christum natum”! I shorten the Latin to the new English word “Merry Christnatum!”

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Merry birth of Christ to you! “Merry Christnatum”.

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If we use that word in lieu of “Happy Holidays” perhaps we'll give the “thought police” more of a challenge, while at the same time, not to recognize the “Mass” for which many a Protestant Christian disdained, even died to avoid its celebration.