My Christmas Thought for 122517: Merry "Feast of the Nativity"

"In essence, the Mass is the ceremonial slaying of Jesus Christ over and over again, followed by the eating of his flesh and the drinking of his blood. The Mass is the death sacrifice, and the "Host" is the victim. This is official Roman Catholic doctrine, and "Christmas" is a word that they invented. Again, I ask, what is so merry about the pain, bleeding, suffering and death of Jesus Christ? Satan has done quite a job of getting millions of so-called "Christians" to blaspheme."

-- "The True Meaning of Christ-Mass," lasttrumpetministries.org

God save us all from the League of the Perpetually Offended!  Christmas, for all its detractors, has suffered from a less than laudable past.  I have read, as stated in the opening quote, the name itself is a misnomer as it means the death sacrifice of Christ.  If so, wouldn't we be better served to observe Christmas at Christ's death vice His birth?  Per religious scholars, Jesus was probably born in the springtime, anyway.  There is absolutely no reason for December 25 to be the date other than crowding Easter, and Pope Julius I pulling the date out of his scarlet undies at random.

In reality, "mass" is from the Latin "missa," the celebration of the Eucharist, a Christian rite given by Christ to his followers during the Last Supper, which is why it is also called "The Lord's Supper."  Of course, trying to explain this to someone hell bent on being offended would be pointless.  They will continue to believe it is Catholic in origin and not handed down by Christ.

Christmas has been the on-again off-again celebration, depending on who ruled the land, even here in America.  Only after 1870, when it was declared a federal holiday, did it begin to take hold with some vigor and yet, even then, it had already taken on the trappings of materialism thanks to writers like Washington Irving and Charles Dickens.  

In 1843 a government worker (go figure) in England came up with the idea of "Christmas cards" as a way of getting the common man to patronize the new idea of a post office.  We continue to blow money on cards with sentiment we, in all probably, lacked the talent, and time, to write.  We also blow a hefty sum on stamps, and extra postage for the large cards.  By the way, have you sent a package lately?  More debt.  

We spoil our children like we are wealthy the English noblemen.  We add to our annual personal debt by purchasing more toys for them than they could possibly ever enjoy (and usually don't for long) and we buy baubles for our women in hopes of some horizontal deep breathing exercises later in the evening, all while the true reason for the season gets lost in the lap of some fat old bearded boozer in a red velvet outfit who cons parents into letting their children sit in his lap under the premise of whispering their selfish Christmas desires for yet more useless crap (this is wrong on more than a few levels).  Christ is all but forgotten except when the occasional glitter coated tacky plastic star sneaks in as a tree topper, though the people who put it there probably can't remember why and opted for it over Snoopy in a Santa suit because of a family tradition they almost remember... then it's gone.

I send money to my kids and hope they do right with it.  The bulk of my Christmas giving goes to our local soup kitchen which I also try to support at Thanksgiving.  This year I will show up at the medical center on Sunday, in my guise as medical center chaplain, to visit the Post-Traumatic Stress patients.  I will visit again on Christmas morning, in the medical center chapel, to address the staff and offer a prayer of thanks for the birth of our prophet and savior.  I will remember the birth of Christ and celebrate it appropriately, as I will invite others to do with me.

What we call this day is of little importance, as is what the detractors, and the perpetually offended, would offer concerning it.  What is of much greater importance is not forgetting the spirit of the day and the reason for the season, and the gifts?  It is a time to renew our faith and our love for our fellow man.  It is a time of giving to those in need, and to remember fondly those no longer with us.  It is a time to lift up our hearts and praise God for life.  Perhaps by referring to the day as the Feast of the Nativity, we might remember why we celebrate it.

I know I will.

To all my faithful readers, thank you for another glorious year and allowing me to play around in your hearts and minds.  I wish you the merriest Feast of the Nativity!

And a merry, merry Christmas to all! 

(Did you really think I'd sign off without taking a Christmas shot across the bow of the perpetually offended?  Be real.)

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.