Something I just can’t understand is the stress people cause and experience over this argument about what to say this time of year.

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays

I just feel a need to share my humble opinion about this issue of what greeting is acceptable this time of year.

I listened to a woman the other day tell me how she got chewed out for saying Merry Christmas to a customer and just 15 minutes later another customer got upset because the employee said Happy Holidays.

I know this woman and I think she and I feel the same – What’s the big deal people?  Can we not respect each other?  Why do people want to start fighting and arguing over such a simple matter of a desire to express a sense of joy and peace?

It makes no sense to me – none at all.  I grew with friends of different denominations and probably even faiths and we didn’t argue over these things, especially during the Holiday Season – yes – that was way back in the 60’s and 70’s and nobody was yelling at anybody if we said Merry Christmas, Happy Chanuka or Happy Holidays.  We just smiled and said it back to the person who offered the greeting or we said – ‘Same to you!’

I don’t mind if people are celebrating God or Jesus or even St. Nicholas who most everyone calls Santa Claus.    I don’t think Jesus minds people celebrating seasons of giving.    And I don’t think I’m a heretic for saying so.  I am confident enough in what I believe in to not get bent out of shape if someone says Happy Holidays to me.

Well – what about Kwanza – someone said – what are they worshipping?  Nothing – Kwanza is not about worship – Kwanza is about tradition and reminding a group of people who had been put down for years that they matter.  I don’t think God minds people remembering this – While I myself have never participated in any Kwanza traditions – I have looked at some of what it’s about and I don’t think any of it denounces God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit so I don’t see it as a blasphemous celebration.   The way some people celebrate New Years, which is a Holiday, could probably look and sound more blasphemous than a Kwanza celebration.

You see Holidays throughout the year – some are secular, some are sacred – as long as they aren’t blasphemous – what’s the big deal about what you say or what other people say to you?  Aren’t we all called to honor one another out of respect for God?  What do you think God would say to you if you said Happy Holidays to him?  I can’t imagine God would start screaming at you – I think God would smile, maybe say thank you, God might even say Happy Holidays to you too.

Don’t add more stress to your life or someone else over a greeting that expresses something Merry and Happy.   If you want to say Merry Christmas say it – if you want to say Happy Holidays – say it – and if you want to say both then say both – but don’t let the devil divide God’s people over this issue.