The politically correct brigade will tell you “Merry Christmas” is no longer acceptable, as it does not express a religiously neutral perspective and therefore is not inclusive of all people. Businesses and schools worry about offending parents or potential customers. So what happens?
“Christmas” is taken out of the equation and made politically correct to the point that it becomes universal. “Christmas” trees and wreaths that have been adopted as part of Christian tradition for centuries are sold today as “Holiday” or “Seasonal” instead.
Many Christians have no issue with using the joyful phrase “Happy Holidays.” But there is a problem when that phrase becomes a replacement for “Merry Christmas.”
Many people today – including Christians – seem to be uncomfortable with saying “Merry Christmas.” It’s seen as awkward if you happen to say it to someone who doesn’t celebrate that day. On the other hand, some hard-core Christians will tell you to be militant about this and ensure that every person receives a “Merry Christmas,” regardless of their beliefs. I disagree with both of these extremes.
The phrase should not be shoved in others’ faces or forced upon them. But it also shouldn’t be something that a Christian needs to feel guilty about saying. If Christians want to express cheer and good wishes in this happy time of year by saying, “Merry Christmas,” then by all means, they should!
If we as a country have taken a mania for political correctness and diversity to such an excess that Christians cannot use the term “Merry Christmas,” then we’re missing the whole point. Inclusion of all faiths and backgrounds means that everyone is entitled to their voice and opinion.
So if you choose to say “Happy Holidays,” that’s fine, and I don’t think Christians should have a problem with it. You’re not taking away a Christian’s beliefs by saying that to them. However, if it gets to a point that we are so obsessed with this political correctness that we let the words “Christmas” and “Merry Christmas” be deleted from our vocabulary, then we’re not truly diverse at all, as we’re not valuing all opinions.
You wouldn’t call a menorah a “holiday candle holder” or a dreidel a “holiday spinning top,” as that might offend Jews. However, this happens every year for Christmas. Heaven forbid we use a word with the prefix “Christ” in it to describe anything related to the holidays.
I’m not asking that we all chug some Hater-Ade and unleash a fury on anyone who opts to say “Happy Holidays.” All I’m saying is that people should not take “Merry Christmas” offensively, just as people should not take “Happy Holidays” offensively.
And with that, I’d like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
I always get wound up at Christmas, it really pisses me off that 'cos of a very small group of people the word Christmas is becoming a word of the past..
Merry Christmas = Happy Holiday
Christmas Tree = Seasonal / Holiday Tree
Christmas decorations = Seasonal decorations
etc..etc..
The next generation of kids will not know the meaning of Christmas, it will be a word from the past.
I agree with the above, what's the problem wishing people Merry Xmas? I don't get offended if someone wishes me Happy Hanukkah or what ever else. It's a sad and crazy world.
If I see a pine tree decorated with lights and/or ornaments around late December, it's a Christmas tree! Not a holiday tree as Obama would have it known by. To all you ridiculous idiots who have to rename so as not to offend… go fly a freakin kite…. but not in my neighborhood. My ballerina Disney princess daughter might shoot you with her bb gun !!