“I think I may be in a rut,” I thought as I wished yet another acquaintance a “Merry Christmas.” How come it’s a Merry Christmas, but a Happy New Year, a Happy Birthday, and a Happy Thanksgiving? Can’t these other occasions be merry? Can’t Christmas be happy? I suppose, but I’ve never heard of such things. These phrases become so rote that we wish them on people without thinking. A friend once admitted to me that she walked through the greeting line at a funeral and, without thinking, said, “Congratulations.” A few weeks ago, as I left a hotel, the clerk said to me, “Have a nice trip,” and I replied, “You too!” That was awkward.
The Book of Proverbs contains many verses about the power of words. One says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) Another says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11) If our words have that much power, then speaking without thinking is like juggling dynamite. However, if I speak with thoughtful intention, I can pass out golden apples like Santa hands out candy canes.
Christmas provides us with many opportunities to speak with neighbors, friends, and strangers. What golden apples do you have to share?
May you have a Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year!