Happy Holiday or Merry Christmas

As Christian we sometimes get offended when someone says “Happy Holiday” and not “Merry Christmas.” While I understand in part, the frustration as it would appear that omitting the word Christmas is removing “Christ” from the day designated to celebrate His birth.

When we look at the etymology of the word holiday it is derived from “Holy Day.” The word we use “holiday” comes from the Old English “haligdaeg,” when combined means “halig” (“holy”) and “daeg” (“day”) into one word.

In New Testament Scripture the Greek word for holy is “hagios” meaning pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated. To say Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday means it is a special day.

While most Bible scholars agree that Christ was not born on Dec. 25, it is the day chosen to celebrate his birth. In (Luke 2: 7-8 NIV) “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.”

Various Bible Commentaries suggest that since the weather is cold and rainy during December in Judea, this would have caused the shepherds to seek shelter and not be in the field watching over their flocks at night.

So there is not only questions about the term used but also regarding the day we celebrate. Let me close by saying this, “Happy Holiday” and “Merry Christmas.” As believers we know that our Savior was born and yet lives in our hearts and we celebrate Him every day.

References:

Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. The New Interpreter’s Bible: One-Volume Commentary. Abingdon Press, 2010.

Strong, James. The New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words. T. Nelson, 2001.

http://“Holiday (n.).” Index, http://www.etymonline.com/word/holiday.

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