Advent Day 14 - A word on words: Christmas

It doesn't take a genius to try and break down the word Christmas into its meaningful parts.

Christ + mas

Most people would probably be able to predict that the first part of the word sum has to do with Christ, as in Jesus. But what about -mas?

Well, thanks to etymonline.com we find that the -mas in Christmas actually comes from mass.

Christmas was and is an annual church (in this definition the Catholic church) festival which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Today, Christmas is accepted inside and outside the church and between denominations. Some have thought, like I was raised, that Christmas as celebrated on the 25th December should be rejected for its alleged pagan and Catholic origins. But even Ellen G. White, who is one of the founders of the Seventh Day Adventist church advocates for Christmas.

'Christmas is coming. May you all have wisdom to make it a precious season. Let the older church members unite, heart and soul, with their children in their innocent amusement and recreation, in devising ways and means to show true respect to Jesus by bringing to Him gifts and offerings. Let everyone remember the claims of God. His cause cannot go forward without your aid.' Ellen G. White

What are you doing this Christmas season to further His cause?

N.

P.S. Running out of ideas on what to get that hard to buy for relative? Why not give a gift that gives back?

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) have a list of wonderful gifts that give back in their Gift Catalogue. Check it out and consider giving back this Christmas. Specific gifts start at $5 or 'love gifts' (open donations) are an option if you're unsure of what sort of contribution you'd like to make.