Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays - Does it really matter?

Something has been on my mind since right after Halloween.

I get e-mails from well-meaning friends to spread the news that it’s Merry Christmas, NOT Happy Holidays. When I get these, I am sad, for lots of reasons.

First of all, when we do this, it really takes something away from the spirit of the season. It’s kind of angry-like, you know. And petty. And that’s just not Christian-like.

Does it matter? Say Merry Christmas if you wish. Say Happy Holidays if you wish. It’s all the same. Happy Holidays is just more inclusive of friends who may celebrate other traditions at the same time we celebrate Christmas. Would you really wish to exclude those friends from wishing them happiness and joy? I would hope not.

If you want to be angry about something, be angry that our food pantries are in dire need of donations. Be angry that we have people in our own country going hungry. Be angry enough to do something about it. Repurpose your angry energy to do something that will make a difference in someone’s life.

Now about this Christmas thing. We’re taught as Christians that it’s about the miracle of the birth of Christ, which, of course, we should celebrate. I’m just not so sure it should be celebrated the way we do. I personally make a deep separation between the birth of Christ and the pagan rituals we’ve propagated into the greedy, commercial mockery of what Christmas is supposed to be.

 Nowhere in the Bible does it say to take the life of a pine tree, drag it home, and adorn it with lights in celebration of the birth of Christ. It doesn’t say to go out and buy presents. The reality is that it’s fashioned after pagan celebrations of the Winter Solstice. And really, it’s just NOT okay to stampede and trample a human being to death over a great bargain at Wal-Mart. That's just horrifying!

I’m not saying we shouldn’t celebrate the birth of Christ. Let’s do that. And let’s propagate the message of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, and not just in December, but all year, all our lives.

And I’m not saying we can’t have our pagan rituals. Have fun. Make your traditions. Enjoy and celebrate.

Just don’t lump them together.

And don’t exclude your friends of different faiths, religions, and heritage from wishing them joy and happiness. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or Season’s Greetings - rejoice in the spirit in which it is being said and enjoy the beauty of the season.

To my family and all of my friends, I wish you Joy, Peace, Love, and Happiness - for this season and throughout your lives.