It's Always Christmas, Christ-Mas, Time for More of Christ

Christ is not the last name of Jesus, it is one of His titles which means "the Anointed One." With the invention of the Internet, there is a wealth of information coming our way. Most of it is accurate and beneficial, while some of it is inaccurate. A few years ago I read that each time we say the word Christmas, we are actually saying Christ's mass which means death to Christ. This did not sit well in my spirit because the word we use is Christ-mas and not Christ-mass. It was not long, however, before I had a better answer. Taco Bell began running a commercial where the announcer said "Mas Taco." I looked up the definition of mas in Spanish and found out it means more. I had heard "No mas" on old westerns but never thought about it and now know it means no more.

I cannot prove why the early Christians chose the term Christmas but I believe that using the terminology "more of the Anointed One" is quite appropriate. Believers in Christ and those who don't believe have utilized this word without a problem and celebrated the winter holiday associated with it as each one chooses. Whether people were Christian or not, the holiday has always been understood to be about the birth of the Savior. Even though many admit to giving gifts without acknowledging the religious aspects, no one sought to change anything.

For over 2000 years, time as we know it had been divided into "Before Christ" or BC and Ana Domino, AD or "The year of our Lord." Not long ago, however, this was changed to BCE which indicates Before the Common Era and CE for Common Era. This was done to acknowledge that not everyone believes Jesus is Lord. For Christians who are appalled by this, just take a deep breath and consider:

Philippians 2:10-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

The day will come when every person must face Him for themselves. Until that time there is the possibility that someone somewhere will attempt to change the word Christmas, and here is why. Christians today are in disagreement about celebrating December 25. New age thinking is that the holiday is filled with pagan rituals and the fact that the Bible does not indicate he was born in December. First of all, the believes who began this winter holiday never said December 25 was the day He was born. They chose it as a date to place focus on Him to get people's minds away from the winter solstice observance.

Many Christians now consider Christmas a no no and with the change to the Common Era it's not a stretch to suggest that non-believers might want to change the name to reflect gift-giving without Christ's name being invoked and Christians who say December 25 is not his birth date would unite and declare that since the secular world has taken over the holiday, let them have it.

Romans 14:28
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

The early believers penned hymns that glorified the Lord by using scripture to telll of the virgin birth. There is nothing pagan about "Christ by heaven the highest adored, Christ the everlasting Lord," or "Word of the Father now in flesh appearing, Oh come let us adore Him. "Silent Night, Holy night, Son of God, love's pure light" is spreading the gospel. As I have said in other articles on this subject, too many are missing the "Forrest" because of the trees. We cannot stop the secular world from cashing in on the materialism that surrounds Christmas.

Believers can only be the light and salt of the earth, allowing Christ-mas, more of the Anointed One and His anointing to be a witness through us. We should be celebrating more of Christ in our lives every single day of the year. Ebeneezer Scrooge said he would keep Christmas in his heart every day and so should all who love him. A day will come when every knee will bow to Him and every tongue confess He is Lord. Until then those who believe can make Him Lord of their lives now and inspire others to do the same. It's always Christ-mas time so make time for more of Him now. I love the way Christmas is said in various tongues. The old German language for Merry Christmas was Frohe Weihnacht but no matter how you spell it just remember it's always the season to be merry and happy and enjoy more of Christ. Keep His birth death resurrection and second coming within your heart every day.