Isn't Christmas is Just One of the Holidays?

It’s quite possible that I’m just naive, but I never really thought much about it. “It” meaning when people say, “Happy Holidays,” vs. “Merry Christmas,” around this time of year. I just always assumed it was to save time and be all-encompassing when it came to wishing someone good times for this period of the year. To me, “Happy Holidays,” is just a short hand way of saying “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, or whatever you may celebrate. With all those holidays falling around this part of the year, not to mention Thanksgiving, “Happy Holidays” has always seemed fine to me. Listening to “religious” people, though, you’ll hear otherwise. Apparently, it’s said to keep you from hearing about Jesus.

It was a talking point during our service this passed Sunday and the local Christian radio station hands out stickers with “Please Wish Me a Merry Christmas” printed on them. Again, maybe I’m just hanging out in a different circle and/or have a different point of view, but I just don’t see it. Even devout atheists that I personally know still celebrate Christmas. They buy loved ones presents and we wish each other a Merry Christmas just as my religious friends do. Maybe it’s not Jesus that they’re celebrating, but how many “Christians” wearing “Please Wish Me a Merry Christmas” stickers are thinking about Jesus when they’re unwrapping over-priced, seldom-needed presents, or watching little Jimmy play with his new toys on Christmas Day?

Because of the reasons mentioned above, I don’t have a problem with “Happy Holidays” being put up in retail stores, either. From a business point of view, it’s inviting to everyone who is out shopping for gifts. While it’s true that the vast majority of consumers in this country would be shopping for Christmas presents (Christian or not), I wouldn’t want to lose sales and risk alienating someone shopping for Hanukkah gifts if everything in my store said “Merry Christmas.” It’s all-inclusive and I like that.

Just a few things on my mind.