Season’s Greetings!
As I think about holiday phrases, I don’t know if anyone has ever said “Season’s Greetings” to me in person. I see it on everywhere -- signs, greeting cards, newspaper ads and television announcements. But I don’t remember anyone actually ever saying it.
At some point in the past it was discovered to be a rather safe, nondenominational, multifaith holiday phrase….even if it doesn’t quite roll off the tongue.
But did you know that the “original” season’s greetings seemed hardly safe. Notice the following reactions.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him....When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear…
God sent the angel Gabriel...to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph…the virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words…
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby…an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified…
These “season’s greetings” were powerful events. They reveal at least three things, which are still true today.
1. A greeting from God is a big deal.
2. Despite the initial fear, the greetings bring the best news ever.
3. There was an expected response from the hearer of the greeting.
Next time we see (or maybe even hear) “Season’s Greetings”, remember those words are far from harmless. It reminds us that God is up to something!
As I think about holiday phrases, I don’t know if anyone has ever said “Season’s Greetings” to me in person. I see it on everywhere -- signs, greeting cards, newspaper ads and television announcements. But I don’t remember anyone actually ever saying it.
At some point in the past it was discovered to be a rather safe, nondenominational, multifaith holiday phrase….even if it doesn’t quite roll off the tongue.
But did you know that the “original” season’s greetings seemed hardly safe. Notice the following reactions.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him....When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear…
God sent the angel Gabriel...to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph…the virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words…
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby…an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified…
These “season’s greetings” were powerful events. They reveal at least three things, which are still true today.
1. A greeting from God is a big deal.
2. Despite the initial fear, the greetings bring the best news ever.
3. There was an expected response from the hearer of the greeting.
Next time we see (or maybe even hear) “Season’s Greetings”, remember those words are far from harmless. It reminds us that God is up to something!
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