Have A Blessed Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

I have done a lot of reading about Christmas and its history this year. It has been quite a trip down timeline lane. The details are fascinating regarding how we got to our mixed, modern celebration; some things represent Christ and others are taken from pagan rituals, it is an interesting mix of world wide traditions. During my reading I came across an article that discussed how the word "Merry" has changed over the centuries in meaning. The author of the article, Sharon, writes "the word merry does not refer an excess of seasonal good cheer, nor yet to drunkenness. Those meanings date from the 14th century onwards. However, the original meaning of merry was pleasing or agreeable." Since I like words and how they are used (and I've been liberal with a few myself) I thought this was something to take notice of.

I sat down to begin reading the true account of why we celebrate Christmas. I started in Luke chapter 1 and got to verse 48 and stopped on the word 'blessed'. It was underlined meaning there was some more to learn about that word, so I read the text note and was pleasantly surprised that the meaning of this word had a profound effect on what Mary meant when she said, "from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed." It was not as I always assumed that word to mean, when I think of the word 'blessed' I think of happiness, material blessing, favor (even the dictionary says that) but the way Mary used the word showed she wasn't talking about how we would look back on her with a view of luckiness or happiness but that she was obedient and submissive to the will of God in her life and she endured in peaceful satisfaction . Her FAITH was what she was talking about. She knew she was going to go down in Biblical history just like Abraham, Isaac, David, the Prophets because she was willing to do whatever God had planned for her life. The neat thing is we can be called 'blessed' too if we choose to do the same.

Since the description of the word  'blessed' in the Hebrew Greek Study Bible is too good to not share I am copying the entire lesson for reference. Note the highlighted red parts are important.

"This verse contains one of the most misunderstood words of the N.T. It is the word makarios, used repeatedly in the Beatitudes. The verb of the adjectival noun makarios, "blessed," is used here. The translation says, "all generations shall call me blessed, " but the Greek says makariousi, the Attic future of makarizo, which in reality means "they shall bless me." But since the meaning of makarios is to be indwelt by God and thereby to be fully satisfied, the Virgin Mary was declaring that because she was indwelt by God, this fact was going to be recognized and declared by generations to come. In connection with the meaning of the word makarios, note that in verse 45 it states, "And blessed is she that believed." Makaria (feminine) is what Elizabeth called her cousin Mary when she saw her and realized she was indwelt by God. If you go, however, to vs. 42, you will find that the word translated "blessed" there is not makaria, but is a totally different word, eulogemene, which in its literal meaning is "eulogized, well spoken of." The verb eulogeo is the more commonly used verb in the N.T. of the two verbs: makarizo, "to be declared as indwelt by God and therefore fully satisfied," and eulogeo, "to speak well of" When we bless (eulogeo) God we are speaking well of Him which is equal to praising or thanking Him. When, however, we ask God to bless us or speak well of us, we are asking Him not merely to approve our plans but to interfere in our lives. God's words are God's actions. Therefore, there is a very definite distinction between these two words. The verb makarizo occurs only in Luke 1:48 and Js. 5:11 in which it is totally mistranslated as "we count them happy which endure." Happiness has absolutely nothing to do with makariotes, 'blessedness," an inner quality granted by God. The word "happiness" in its equivalent on Greek and as used in the Classics, eudaimon and eutuches, "lucky" never occurs in the N.T. The Lord never promised happiness, good luck, or favorable circumstances to the believer but makariotes, "blessedness". This means His indwelling and the consequent peace and satisfaction to the believer no matter what the circumstances may be. Js. 5:11 should be translated, "Behold, we recognize those who endured as blessed," that is to say, having been indwelt by God and in Him finding their full satisfaction in spite of their suffering."

With that I leave you with a 'new' salutation: Have a pleasant Christmas and may many opportunities present themselves through circumstances to humble and submit yourself to God so he may be active in transforming you in the New Year!