Dec 02 2008
Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
‘Tis the Season for the annual fight over whether “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” is the right greeting! Every year recently, people on the Religious Right have raged a war against those who say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”, contending that NOT saying Merry Christmas is a slap against Christianity and “Jesus is the reason for the Season”!
Well, I submit that both greetings are appropriate for this time of year, and neither is an affront against the other. First of all, the official Holiday Season in the United State actually lasts from Thanksgiving to New Year’s and also includes Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, as well as the actual Christmas Day. The entire six-week time period is supposed to be a time of celebration and good times with family and friends. To say “Happy Holidays” acknowledges the overall time of celebration that lasts for more than a month; and is not intended to either slight or favor one holiday over another.
On the other hand, to say “Merry Christmas” should not be intended to make people feel that if they don’t celebrate Christmas the way the Religious right feels it should be celebrated, or if some Americans don’t celebrate it at all for any reason, that they are “wrong-thinking”. “Merry Christmas” should be used as a greeting of “peace and goodwill” whenever it is said, and can and should be said to anyone, whether they are Christian or not, as just a joyous “hello”–not to force one’s beliefs on another.
I could insert a little history lesson here about how the date of December 25th was chosen to celebrate Christ’s birthday is based not on Biblical mandate but as a response to ancient pagan winter solstice celebrations; or I could remind the Religious Right that celebrating the birth of Christ isn’t biblically based at all, but just comes from centuries of tradition, but I have a feeling that they wouldn’t listen to me!
Meanwhile, I will say both “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” this season, and I will mean “Peace and Joy and Happiness” to whomever I am greeting! I should not be get in trouble with anyone for wishing everyone Good Tidings!
4 Responses to “Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Not A Member? Register for Free!
well, you can always say, Seasons Greetings if you’re at a loss. ~Momma http://savemoneymomma.today.com
The 25th more or less split the difference between the solstice and the (pagan)Roman holiday Epiphany (Jan. 6). The date itself was an ongoing battle in the Catholic church for over a century. Around 384, the target date for “Christmas” was Dec. 13th, but in 273, they shunned the idea of a Dec. holiday celebrating the birth altogether. For some reason, the church felt like no one would buy a nine months pregnant woman tottering through the desert. Go fig…
The biggest problem with Evangelicals is that they’re so sure they’re right, and all evidence to the contrary gets drowned out by the word faith.
I celebrate, but it’s more for my kid’s sake (and to make the wife happy) than anything else.
Happy Holidays.
I could not be less concerned about which holiday the Wal-mart cashier wishes me to enjoy. Just give me my change and let me go on my way.