“Merry Christmas!” We say it often this time of year in preparation for December 25 th and recognizing the birth of Jesus Christ. As many times as we greet each other with this phrase, have we ever wondered it’s origin? After all, what is a “Christmas?” The word “Christmas” comes from an old English phrase “Christes maesse” that means “Christ’s Mass.” We know that “Mass” means “sending forth” which is what God chose to do with His son…send Him forth into the world. John 1:14 , “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The word “Mass” was a common term (and still used in some Churches today) for the weekly gathering of worship. In most cases, the Protestant churches today simply call this gathering “Church” or “Worship” in reference to the main, weekly Sunday service. So, when we say, “Christmas,” we are actually saying “The Mass of Christ” or “The Chu
Clever, Missouri (Christian County)