'Merry Christmas,' Not 'Happy Holidays'

Religious freedom means the right to embrace the customs and meaning of Christ's birth

December 18, 2009 RSS Feed Print

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I would never intend for my Christmas cheer to be construed as exclusionary, any more than I would take offense at someone's choice to extend another specific holiday message. But I do feel someone must stand up for those who celebrate Christmas and remind them that they do not need to hesitate before wishing others "Merry Christmas." So, this December 25, between the hustle and bustle of gift giving and decorating the tree, I hope that my resolution is one among many of the Christmas wishes you will receive!

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I agree with you. I don't like to hesitate before expressing my holiday wishes either but this is like asking why everyone in Hollywood is a democrat or why white people can't repeat rap with the 'n' word intact. It's all about business and 'getting along'. The fact is that many Jews take offense at hearing 'Merry Christmas'. My wife and I had a holiday party a number of years ago and when one of our couple friends left we wished them Merry Christmas - the wife who was jewish turned and angrily said 'You mean Happy Hanukah'. She was actually mad. I don't understand it but, again, it's all about getting along if we want to. In the business world it is just counter productive to disregard how others feel regarding this.

Nick of MA 1:28PM December 21, 2012

Why do you feel the need to send a nonbeliever a Biblical message? To ridicule them? Condescend to them? Power? Arrogance?
People feel uncomfortable celebrating Christmas? Really, you'll be ridiculed for going to church on Christmas? Unlikely. You will be ridiculed for not celebrating, for being Jewish like me, who was called a Christ-killer.
If your belief is strong, why do you need so many external reassurances? Why do you need everyone to follow you, to do what you do? Why do you need your symbols of power displayed everywhere? Why can't you worship in your heart without pomp and circumstance, go to church, teach your family? Because really what you want is to be constantly told that you are right, that you rule.
It's ugly.

Jessie Herrera of TX 2:24AM November 21, 2012

"Happy holiday"
"What holiday?"
"it's that religious day celebrated by christians called christmas"
"then why be specific and say merry christmas"
"oh uh but its not politically correct"
"i thought in your country there is seperation of church and state"
"ya"
"then why is the state intefering in the church now???"
"uh oh..."
"Merry Christmas"
"Merry Christmas"

Ralph of NY 8:51PM December 22, 2011

'Merry Christmas,' Not 'Happy Holidays'

Religious freedom means the right to embrace the customs and meaning of Christ's birth

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