HOLIDAY VS HOLY DAY

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

HOLIDAY VS HOLY DAY

Originally “holiday” and “Holyday” essentially mean the same thing. However, over the years the meaning changed. “Holyday” is believed to be a more ancient term with a stronger emphasis on the religious connotation of “holy day” — meaning a day dedicated to religious observance; “holiday” is now used more broadly for any day of celebration or rest. Holy day is concentrated on God, worship and ministering to others. A holiday is more about entertainment, eating, resting, and having fun. Also, a holiday is taking a short break from work, a kind of vacation. There are many people, however, who are confused and use the terms interchangeably and the meaning becomes a blur. For example, is Christmas a holiday or a holy day? Here some may argue. Some may say it is both a holiday and a holy day. In our contemporary and secular world, however, it is clear that the celebration of Christmas has been reduced from being a Christian Holy Day to a more secular day, a holiday, i.e., time off from work, a time for fun and entertainment, a time of rest and frolicking.

Is it possible that the conflict between holiday and holy day has an ulterior motive? This play on words, done purposefully to undermine the Holy Day of Christmas? In other words, is it done deliberately to undermine this Christian day of honoring the Birth of Jesus Christ, a day of family prayer and worship? No matter, the observance of this major Christian Holy Day has been altered significantly to be more of a holiday even among Christians. No one is looking for conspiracies here, but how realistic is it to have the same thing happen to Pascha (Christian Day of the Resurrection or Easter) as well as the day of Thanksgiving? The question does carry real legitimacy.

It is up to all Christians to make sure that they, their families, their churches, and their ministries maintain the integrity and the authentic purpose of all Christian Holy Days intact. All the Holy Days of the Church must neither be compromised or prostituted by anyone. Every Christian must be focused on the sacredness of this observance and not be influenced by the non-Christian institutions and the marketplace, the advertisements on Television, and Internet. We are told by the business that we must be loyal consumers because the economy is at risk, whether we have the financial means or not. To make certain that we continue to purchase items, or objects, which we may or may not use, or need, they (the banks) came up with the credit card which makes it possible for us to spend money which we do not have and fall into debt for the rest of our lives. This is the result of condoning the secular concept of the holiday to replace the celebration of the ancient observance of the Christian Holy Day.

Christmas is indeed a Major Holy Day celebrated by Christian believers throughout the world. Everyone of the Christian Faith must honor and observe it and follow faithfully the Holy Tradition of the Church. No one should ever lose sight of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, and the saving events in His earthly life; and above all, to always glorify Him! It is only when we are assembled together, in the church, that we may reverently doxologize Him and worship Him. The enemies of Christ are determined to remove the Person of Christ completely from the Great Feast-Day of Christmas. How evil is that! This will never happen!

Why is the Day of Christmas a holy day and not a holiday? Saint Luke the Evangelist gives us the answer in his Gospel: “And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you, therefore, also, that Holy One who IS TO BE BORN WILL BE CALLED THE SON OF GOD” [Luke 1:35]. Our Savior Jesus Christ is GOD! HE IS THE HOLY ONE! “Holy One” is a Messianic title. That He is to be born of Mary demonstrates Christ’s Human Nature. But that the Virgin will conceive and bear “the Son of God,” reveals the Divine Nature of Christ. We note especially the reference of the Holy Trinity: God the Father (Highest), the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

What the unbelievers are attempting to accomplish is blasphemy and heresy. The Gentiles and unbelievers seek to distort the truth and belittle the Christian faith and the Founder Jesus Christ, just as another religious leader. Mocking Christ is nothing new and distorting His Divine Teachings is nothing new; when over the centuries there have been a great number of heresies produced by His enemies. The Orthodox Synods have fought vehemently against all these heresies and the heretics have been excommunicated from the Church. Christ’s Teachings must always be preserved pristine and pure as He taught them by all Christians. Including the Great Events in His life while on earth. Everything must be treated with reverence, respect and dignity especially the Holy Gospel.

Everything Jesus Christ endured, the spitting, scourging, buffeting, the mockery, the abuse, the torture, betrayal, the suffering on the Cross, and His death was done to save all of mankind form evil and death. Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ was victorious over death and rose triumphantly. “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified, HE IS NOT HERE; FOR HE IS RISEN, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples, that He is risen from the dead” [Matthew 28:1-7].

The “earthquake” is a sign of Jesus’ great victory over death, pointing to the General Resurrection. The two women are the first witnesses to the most amazing event in all human history. “Rejoice” is the first word of the Risen Christ, a common greeting here filled with great blessing. Just like His Resurrection as well as all other great events i.e., His Nativity, should be inspiring, edifying, and filled with godly joy for those who believe. Let us all prepare for that magnificent and awesome day of His Christ’s Birth and be filled with gladness and assurance that God is with us. Amen.

A VERY MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU

___________
“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George