Happy Holidays!

I recently read a blog post by someone that explored the whole "Happy Holidays" versus "Merry Christmas" war; you know, don't take "Christ" out of "Christmas" and keep saying Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays.

I really liked what she had to say and I wanted to jot down my feelings on it too. 

I believe that the saying "Happy Holidays" originated not to eliminate or get rid of Christmas, but to combine Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Eve ....Happy Holidays (more than one and all inclusive if you will).  And also to be sensitive to those of the Jewish faith who don't celebrate Christmas (amongst other faiths).  It was not to take Christ out of Christmas, merely another alternative saying to celebrate the holiday season no matter what faith you were (or were not). 

I think if we get too hung up on this, we will continue to alienate those non-Christians who already think that ALL Christians are wacky, right-wing, judgemental, intolerant, stingy and non-compassionate people. 

Instead, maybe just go with the flow and if someone says "Happy Holidays" to you, take it for what it is: a stranger, friend or acquaintance being NICE.  Don't go into some long diatribe about how you only say Merry Christmas because you believe that Christmas is Jesus' birthday (which really isn't even December 25th, but I won't go into that part of the argument....) and that you don't want to take the Christ out of Christmas.  Because then what did you do?  Make the person feel like an idiot for trying to be NICE and wish you happiness?

I also don't think there's anything wrong with trying to be sensitive to the fact that not everyone celebrates certain holidays.  I know some Christian faith denominations that do not celebrate Christmas, Easter, birthdays, etc.  And I've heard the reasons and arguments behind this and think that there is definitely some relevance to be considered. 

What is it saying about Christians if we are the ones who get stuck on saying Merry Christmas and show inflexibility and intolerance for those who might choose to say Happy Holidays instead?

And really, aren't MOST of the traditions on Christmas purely exaggerated American traditions instead of actual Christian rituals? Christmas trees? Santa? Presents? Ok, the wise men brought Jesus presents but do you think that God really wants us to go into debt on Christmas so that we can make our kids happy?

I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to be sensitive or *gasp* politically correct.  It's not just about the language or whether Christmas is really Jesus' birthday.  But this holiday season can also be a sensitive time for many if they don't have family to celebrate with, or if they are single and wish they were in a relationship, or if a loved one died around this time of year and it brings back very difficult memories. 

Maybe we can just be NICE and say "Happy Holidays" back to someone when they say it to us instead of getting upset that they took the Christ out of our Christmas.  Because honestly....you're the only one that can do that for yourself. 

Happy Holidays People!