“And the Word was made flesh and dwelled among us” (John 1:14).

It was not quite time to start work when Frank arrived and said, “I can’t believe how the year has flown by. It doesn’t seem possible that it is nearly Christmas time.” The folks in the office agreed with him, and just as Frank was wishing everyone a “Merry Christmas,” their supervisor, Tricia, walked by and said, “Frank, I don’t think we’re supposed to be saying ‘Christmas.’ Corporate wants us to use the term “Seasons Greetings.” Everyone stopped their conversation to see what would take place. Frank quietly, gently, and graciously said, “Tricia, you know that I honestly try to comply with everything that my company expects. However, let me ask you this question. Why is it proper to give the Muslim’s greeting at Ramadan, and we call their special time by name? I have a Jewish friend up on floor seven in our corporation. At Hanukkah I would not think of saying ‘Seasons Greetings’ to him. Why is it that just Christians are not allowed to call it ‘Christmas’?” There was a quiet murmur of agreement in the gathering. Before Tricia could say anything else, Frank concluded by saying, “So first of all, Tricia, I don’t think corporate could win the battle of me exercising my right to free speech. But I would not cause you to be in a bad situation. You have been told that your employees cannot say, ‘Merry Christmas,’ so I will comply. Instead I will say, ‘Blessed Incarnation Day,’ and when anyone asks what that means, I will be happy to answer.”  Tricia smiled and said, “Well, I think you’re right, Frank. They never said you couldn’t say, ‘Blessed Incarnation Day.’”

For today: I am going to wish folks “Merry Christmas.” If they don’t like that, I will say, “How about Blessed Incarnation Day?”