Happy Holimas

I guess I forgot how bent out of shape people get over the Christmas/Holidays debate.

So! I figure this is as good a time as any to encourage thought on the issue, or just make you really annoyed with me. Either way.

Jesus is the reason for the season! Well, yes, however there are two things to consider.
1. Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are also during the month of December. Just because we don't follow either holiday, doesn't mean that "holidays" isn't an appropriate term to use. Among your friends that all celebrate Christmas? Totally fine to say Merry Christmas. But Happy Holidays is more inclusive. Granted, I think no one should get offended if they're wished the wrong holiday. It seems like if you were wished happy birthday on a day other than your birthday, you wouldn't get offended over it.

2. It's not like we celebrate Christmas in an all pious way anyway. Say what you will, but by and large, the emphasis is on the gifts and the commercialism. So pretending that retailers are killing the meaning of Christmas by not saying the word Christmas is about 20 years too late. If we really wanted to celebrate the birth of Christ, wouldn't it be a more fitting tribute to skip giving each other things we don't need, and give to people that need? I think that's more Christ-like than what we end up doing anyway.

A lot of people enjoy the snow, the look of the year, the lights, the hot chocolate, the whole feeling of this time of year. It does end up seeming more like a holiday season than just one day. Also, New Year's is right after Christmas, and while it's not celebrated like Christmas, I always figured that wishing folks a happy new year was part of why the term "Holidays" was used. Also, saying "Merry Christmas" is NOT a way of witnessing to people. Again, so many people celebrate Christmas that aren't Christian, that it's not a defining trait of the religious community. It is extremely unlikely that, if you say "Merry Christmas" to someone, this will lead to a discussion on the "true" meaning of Christmas. Really, the defining trait of a Christian who says Merry Christmas tends to be the indignant huff as they go to call corporate after being wished Happy Holidays.

Either way, it's not worth getting upset over. Whether your favorite retailer says Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas or nothing at all, shouldn't impact how you celebrate this time of year. This time of year, supposedly reeking with glad tidings and good will to all men ...

Happy Holidays
Merry Christmas
Seasons Greetings
or Bah Humbug.