Merry Christmas!
I was explaining to our kids the other night what the word “Christmas” actually means, the combination of “Christ” and “Mass”. Mass isn’t really a word that we use anymore aside from referring to the size of something unless you have a Catholic background where you attended Mass. Mass is “a large body of persons in a group.”[1] So, Christmas is a large body of persons in a group focusing on Christ (a mass of Christ).
Now, it’s no secret that the Mass part of Christmas will not be as plentiful as it has been in the past. Big Christmas parties, banquets and get togethers are events which we will hopefully get back to in the years to come, but for now the Mass of Christmas will be in short supply.
However...
The Christ of Christmas is never in short supply. Other people are incredibly important to celebrating any event, this is because the Mass acts as am amplifier to the reason for celebration (this is why having only one person sing “Happy Birthday” is so awkward). One voice on top of another voice on top of another amplifies the unified message louder and louder.
While the message may not be amplified by mass, the message of the Christ Mass remains: the arrival of the God who created all things and who sustains all things to the earth in order to redeem, restore, and renew. See the excitement of this message that the heavenly host (another word for mass) displayed:
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13)
Every once in a while, I hear that 90’s song, “One of Us” with the chorus that begins by asking the question, “What if God was one of us?” Every time I hear the question asked (or sung?), it takes everything in me not to say out loud, “that’s who Jesus is!”
The Christ of Christmas, who stepped down in the world He created in order to make forgiveness possible for a rebellious sinner like me and to give eternal life, that Christ is never in short supply because He didn’t just live, but is alive for those who have drawn near to Him and put their hope in Him.
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
As we remember the coming of Christ in the Christ Mass, we recognize that even though the Mass is moderated, the Message is marvellous.
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Scott Ross
[1] Merriam-Webster, mass. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mass