It is not politically correct to greet people by saying Merry Christmas. I get that. However, I prefer to be biblically faithful. So I don’t say Merry Christmas as a greeting; I say it as a proclamation. The birth of Jesus Christ is not just a pleasant remembrance or an occasion for the giving of gifts. The birth of Christ literally means salvation for our entire planet and the people that God would rescue by his grace.
The birth of Jesus was proclaimed by angels erupting into the night sky above the fields of Bethlehem. The Roman Press was not there to record the spectacular happening. The Emperor’s News Channel was not there to bring live 24/7 coverage of the most newsworthy event in human history. There were no panels of pundits to speculate on the angels’ message and whom it might have offended.
Nonetheless, this awesome announcement was made to a few shepherds that nobody would interviewed whose names no one would know. However, the ultimate reporter of the actions of God, the Holy Spirit, did accurately write down the angels’ testimony:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
God, the great holy warrior, would bring peace to the human race through the birth of baby born in a barn. This birth means hope and help for sinful, broken, hurting people. The people of earth must hear and heed the angels proclamation if they are to know true peace.
So, I choose to proclaim the wonder and joy of the birth of Christ by saying Merry Christmas, because being biblically faithful is more important than being politically correct.
Merry Christmas!
