BY WALT ALBRITTON
OPINION —
Grab a cup of tea or hot chocolate and sit with me for a few minutes. We communicate with words. Words can be lethal or loving. They can bless or wound others. It’s Christmastime. So let’s reflect on some choice words of Christmas.
“Clearance” is one. I like it. My wife loved it. She seldom bought anything that was not on a “clearance sale” rack. Buying “clearance” Christmas gifts can save money for other things — like the power bill.
“Santa” is another. It’s linked with another word — “gift.” Santa is a good word because he blesses young children with delightful anticipation for gifts. As the children grow up, parents can teach them the great joy of giving. I suspect Jesus taught Santa that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
“Advent” describes the Christmas season. It’s a “church” word that refers to the coming of Christ. Christians believe that’s what Christmas is all about — the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Fortunately, we can sit beside a Christmas tree, exchange gifts and still remember to praise God for his gift of Jesus for our redemption. We can teach our children the rich meaning of the precious word, “Jesus.
“Holy” is a beautiful Christmas word. December is the “holy” season when we focus on the miraculous birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Some of our favorite songs employ the word “holy.” The most touching moment of Christmas for me is listening to someone sing “O Holy Night.” Majestically, it sums up the “reason for the season.”
My favorite Christmas word is “Emmanuel,” a name given to Jesus that means, “God with us.” It was the old Prophet Isaiah who told us a virgin would give birth to a son and call him “Emmanuel.” Then, the New Testament affirmed that the Virgin Mary’s son born in a Bethlehem manger was indeed the long-expected Messiah, the Word made flesh.
“Emmanuel” teaches us the most important thing about God — that he loves us and chooses to be “with” us in all the circumstances of life — the bitter, the sweet, the good and the bad. Pour yourself another cup of tea and sip it as you thank God for giving you the grace to handle the hardships you are facing.
Then, thankful for a God like that, think of a few kind words you can say to someone whose Christmas will be blessed by your kindness. Kind words can chase away despair and sorrow. Use them wisely to bless this Christmas for someone.
And don’t hesitate to speak many times this month two words that will joyfully convey your love to others — “Merry Christmas!”