WHAT'S THE BEST CHRISTMAS GREETING? | Homily 22 Dec 2024 with Fr. Jerry Orbos | 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
WHAT'S THE BEST CHRISTMAS GREETING?
HOMILY | Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 22, 2024
The most common greeting of the Koreans is “Annyong haseyo?” When I first heard this greeting, not knowing how to respond, I said: “Ewan ko sa iyo!”
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Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Today, we light the candle of “LOVE” in our Advent wreath. “Annyeong haseyo” is a beautiful greeting of the heart which literally means “Are you at peace?” coming from a heart reaching out with love. On the other hand, “Ewan ko sa iyo” means “I don’t know about you” coming from a heart that is indifferent and proud.
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In today’s Gospel (Luke 1:39-45), we hear the beautiful greeting of Elizabeth to her cousin Mary: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” It speaks of Mary’s exaltation as a woman not so much because of herself, as because of the fruit of her womb, Jesus.
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The greetings we make bring out how we feel and how we think. How do we greet each other at Christmas? Let us be led to the true meaning of Christmas. Case in point is how we greet others at Christmas. Check out if your Christmas greeting is shallow or deep.
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“Happy Holidays!” For some people, Christmas is just one big cozy, enjoyable, holiday, full of revelry and celebration, devoid of religious meaning.
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“Season’s Greetings!” This greeting is all about celebrating as a season, the “most beautiful time of the year.” And so, ’tis the season to be jolly and merrymaking all the way!
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“Merry Xmas!” This greeting mentions “Christmas” but “Christ” is deleted with an “X.” Christ is not an unknown “X” person, but a historical person who lived among us and who made a difference in our world. Christmas without Christ is no Christmas at all.
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“Merry Christmas!” This is the most used Christmas greeting. It is a well-meaning wish for people to be merry and happy, but it can be a shallow greeting which is focused on the commercial and material aspects of Christmas. Often,
