Merry Christmas Eve! Have the festivities begun? Are you making merry? Do you know what “merry” is all about?
The dictionary tells us:
Scripture also uses the word.
“we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead,
and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”
–Luke 15:32
The Greek word for “merry” is “euphrainó.” Interestingly enough, in its definition, alongside have a cheery outlook and being glad, is the idea that merriment is the kind of gladness that comes because of a sense of victory. Within the definition of merriment is also the word feast.
“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.”
-Proverbs 15:15
Merriment is like having a feast before you. The cheery outlook of being merry is the perspective of seeing not just the glass full, but the whole table!
Is there not a sense of victory in that alone? Everything before you is full, abundant, enticing. The fullness of the table ahead offers certainty that you, too, will be full.
Anyone who has prepared a feast or attended one knows the delight and warmth of a full table. Especially one full of food and loved ones. That’s the sort of celebration thrown all throughout history when a victory is had.
At Christmas, we gather around our tables, our trees, and our trays of cookies. We gather with loved ones. We gather to revel in and celebrate the full victory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Born a king. Born victorious. Sin and death never stood a chance –not even before the least of these, a newborn baby.
The Lord uses the weak and the little to triumph over the strength of the powers of evil. Through that victory, God uses this time of year to fill our hearts with the fullness of Christ and the assurance that we will filled in Him forever.
Behold, the victory of the Merry Christ.
Behold, the merriment born of the fullness of Christ with us.
Behold, the merry heart that looks on us as ones to share the feast and fullness with.