It’s the most wonderful time of year and yet again we find ourselves in the midst of the “War on Christmas.” Oh dear me. I don’t think a year goes by when we don’t discuss this one. People are boycotting stores like Wal-Mart that are saying “Happy Holidays.” Reason I said oh dear is because of the amount of effort people put into being politically correct. Before I go into my standing on this, let’s look at the top blogs’ opinions.
Say Merry Christmas:
The So-Called War on Christmas
Say Happy Holidays:
Neutral:
Seems there’s more talk against the PC nature of America these days. I work at a hotel and we don’t have a Christmas tree in our lobby. Apparently, management made the decision to be politically correct. I suppose it was thought it would exclude certain people? So, we just have poinsettias. I began answering the phone with a “Merry Christmas.” My boss sort of jokingly, in a half-caring way, said I “technically should say ‘Happy Holidays.’” Oh dear, again. I went on to tell her that Christmas can be celebrated by all, not just Christians. It has taken on a meaning for all people that simply wish to celebrate the spirit of the season. They have Christmas trees, give gifts, and have family over, all the while they are not Chrisitians. I’m not sure when this time arrived where people becamse so easily offended. When I say Merry Christmas I’m not telling you that you must believe in Christ! I’m simply wishing you merry during this holiday. And, I might add, Christmas is a Federal Holiday. Yes, it’s a Federal Holiday named “Christmas.”
My priest today made a great comment. He asked if one should not wish someone a happy birthday for fear that someone else may be in the room that is not celebrating a birthday today. Would they not feel “excluded?” In the same sense, saying Merry Christmas is not meant to exclude anyone. This evening I went to the supermarket and at the check-out line I wished the guy a Merry Christmas. He responded the same and added “I just can’t say it first.” I said I do at my work. “Really?” he asked. Yeah, I told him, it’s a Federal Holiday. It’s actually nice to be wished a Merry Christmas. I got the warmest feeling when someone said that to me the other day at the mall. You just don’t hear it that much. Watch Christmas movies and all you’ll hear is people saying Merry Christmas to others and strangers.
I worked two Christmases at Walt Disney World and there everything’s Christmas! You have Christmas shows, a Christmas parade, Christmas trees, and even Christian songs. And, we wished people a Merry Christmas. No fear of offending. And my boss at the hotel said we could drive people away that might be offended by a “Merry Christmas” greeting.
Trend:
Just for interest sake. Take a look at recent blog usage of “Happy Holidays” versus “Merry Christmas.” As you can see, the closer we get to Christmas you’ll see “Merry Christmas” is used a lot more.
So, have a Merry Christmas!
2 Comments
19 Dec 2005 at 11:02
Merry Christmas to you as well!!
21 Dec 2005 at 21:40
[...] Trends. You see them in the news and every where. It’s exciting in a way. It is part of the reason I began this blog. Trends show where things are going and what they’ve been. We can project and forecast the future. Or, discover interesting trends that answer our toughest questions (See ‘Merry Christmas v. Happy Holidays’). [...]