The power of greetings

How did Adam greet Eve on the day before Christmas? He said: “It’s Christmas Eve.”

In today’s gospel (Lk. 1, 39-45), we hear that when Mary greeted her cousin Elizabeth, the infant leapt in her womb, and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit made her exclaim: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Greetings are powerful!

Below are some modern-day Christmas greetings that have, sad to say, taken out the power and the meaning of Christmas. Which one do you use?

“Merry X’mas!” This totally negates Christ, the real reason for Christmas. Christ is not some X person, unknown, and insignificant. He was a historical person, a God-made-man who walked the earth and dwelt among us, and has affected our human lives and history, forever. All too often, because of the rush, we remove Christ from Christmas.

“Happy Holidays!” This is a very secular greeting that emphasizes Christmas as one big cozy vacation and holiday, leaving out the essence of Christmas as a holy day, a real encounter with the Divine.

“Season’s Greetings!” This greeting is all about celebrating a time, a season, the “most wonderful time of the year,” without any reason for doing so. Christmas is not just about a season, but about a God and Three Persons who got involved with us. (We have a joke among Pangasineses that the Sison families of Pangasinan do not need to write Christmas greetings ever because all over the place are written “Sisons’ Greetings!” during this time of the year.)

“Merry Christmas!” This is the most used greeting by so many. But it could be misused when people, especially government people, subtly use it to get some material favors and gifts. Christmas is definitely not just about outward happenings and merrymaking.

I propose the greeting “Mary Christmas!” The first Christmas was Mama Mary’s Christmas. It was quiet, simple, poor, but so powerful and meaningful. Mary and Joseph were focused not on the surroundings, or the gifts, but on the Baby Jesus.

I also like “Blessed Christmas!” It reminds us that we have been blessed by the birth of our Savior, and that we should continue to share our blessings with others, especially at Christmas.

“Joyful Christmas!” More than happiness and happenings around us, may we have Christ in our hearts. And may we give true joy to people around us, starting with our families and loved ones, and spreading this joy to as many as we can.

“Light Christmas!” This is the Christmas greeting I use this year. Why? Because from 215 lb, I am now about 180 lb, after my chemotherapy. Light, too, because my schedule has become light and less toxic, and also because I have shed a lot of excess baggage physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Christmas should not be heavy and burdensome. It is a time for humble celebration and deep gratitude, a time for forgiveness and reconciliation.

Yes, let us keep Christmas light and bright. May Christ, the light of all nations, remove darkness from our hearts, our homes, our country, and from the world. Let us all live as children of the light.

Join me in the Christmas Eve TV Mass on Dec. 24, Channel 2 at 11:30 p.m. Let us all together give thanks to the Lord for giving meaning and hope to our lives.

LIGHT Christmas everyone!

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, may this Christmas, and all our remaining Christmases, be light and bright. Amen.