The Weekly Perspective
by Burke Shade, Associate Pastor
Yes, it’s still Christmastime! So be sure and keep telling everyone you greet, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!” Why? To your brothers and sisters, and even to unbelievers, you are broadcasting the biblical worldview, the worldview that will one day be true for everyone! It encourages your fellow believers that, yes, Jesus came and conquered our sinful human natures and now fills us with his Spirit that will disciple the nations in Christ. To unbelievers, you are proclaiming to them the true story of the Gospel: Jesus is Lord, and he is Lord now and always will be! You are offering them salvation in your very greeting.
How so? By greeting them with “Merry Christmas,” you are telling the story of world history, of the story of our successful war for independence from the devil, who enslaved us to death but now has had his head crushed by our Warrior.
By greeting others with “Merry Christmas,” the symbols of your speech, as well as the trees, carols, gifts, Handel’s Messiah, the colors of red and green and white, family get togethers, etc., all proclaim as markers and monuments and memorials that “thus far the Lord has helped us.”
By greeting everyone with “Merry Christmas,” you are living out the practice of the gospel, ordering your life around the life and accomplishments of Jesus. We do this that the holidays will mark and surround our lives, lives that are lived in the light of the conquering gospel.
So by these celebrations and pronouncements, you are not only living out your life in the light of Jesus’ face, but you are declaring to all unbelievers what the worldview of the entire earth will someday be: Merry Christmas, and Peace to all!