I’ve been out and about a good bit this Christmas season. I realized today that this holiday season seemed different. It was missing something. I realized today what was missing – Holiday greetings.
I’ve always been one to say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” throughout the season. I love saying it; I love hearing it. This year, though, I haven’t heard it nearly as much. If I haven’t said it, no one says it to me. I’ve even had a few people who seemed surprised when I said either phrase. It was a happy kind of surprised, but why should anyone be surprised to hear a holiday greeting?
I suspect there’s a reason for this year’s lack of greetings. I lay the blame at the feet of those who have insisted on eliminating the phrase “Happy Holidays” from our seasonal greetings. There are probably many people now who feel uncomfortable saying it; what if they say it to someone who will scold them, tell them they should say “Merry Christmas,” because “Jesus is the reason for the season.” For Christians, Jesus is the reason for the season, but there are many religions which are celebrating winter holidays around this time. Should we ignore them?
As for saying “Merry Christmas,” there are those who feel more comfortable saying “Happy Holidays” simply because they don’t celebrate Christmas themselves. Now these people have no alternative, so they say neither. We have made it impossible for them to share any sort of greeting.
I want to go back to the days that any holiday greeting was received with the joy and warmth that the giver intended. So, “Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa, and Happy Holidays to you!” Whatever and however you celebrate, I hope your holiday is merry and bright!
Life As I Know It 