Merry Christmas???

“For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10

One of the Christmas songs that we hear these days says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” So, as you go out these days, what do you hear people saying, “Happy Holidays,” “Season’s Greetings” or “Merry Christmas?”

According to a study done in 2016 by the Public Religion Research Institute, nearly two-thirds of white evangelical Protestants and 58 percent of Catholics preferred “Merry Christmas,” while similar numbers of non-white Protestants (56 percent) and religiously unaffiliated Americans (58 percent) preferred an all-inclusive greeting such as “Happy Holidays. While mainline Protestants closely mirrored national numbers with 48 percent preferring “Merry Christmas” and 46 percent, “Happy Holidays.”

Nearly nine in ten Americans say they will celebrate the birth of Jesus this December. Another 4 percent say they will celebrate Advent, 3 percent will celebrate Hanukkah, and 1 percent, Kwanzaa. The survey also said that more and more Americans are celebrating Christmas as a secular holiday, more about Santa Claus, elves, reindeer, and presents than about the birth of Jesus.

Thought For Today: Why do you think that more and more Americans view Christmas as a secular holiday rather than the birth of Jesus? With what greeting do you greet others during this season?

Today’s Prayer Focus: Give thanks to God that Jesus is the reason for the season. Deo Volente.