Merry Holiday

Time for a Christmas post!

Let me get straight to the point. The idea that wishing somone a merry Christmas is offensive has got to be one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever heard.

It seems to be offensive on both fronts: for people who don't like the Christianity aspect and for those who feel only wishing happiness for one holiday is unfair to the other religious holidays around that time. (Why no love for Boxing Day?) Either way, people need to lighten the freak up.

I just do not understand what is so wrong with basically telling someone, "On December 25th, I hope you have a good day." It's just a general wishing of goodwill. It's inherently friendly, and the opposite of offending. I mean, do people who don't believe in Jesus want to have a bad day on Christmas? And so what if you're not a Christian? I wouldn't be offended if a Hindu wished me a Happy Diwali. I'd be honored, actually, that they thought to include me in their celebration and well-wishing. It's basically people just saying, "We're going to have fun now, and we want to share the joy with you."

Why do people care if complete strangers do not wish them well on their specific religious holidays? Most people don't even know when Channukah and Kwanzaa actually take place (or how to spell, or maybe even pronounce them). Besides, many Jews don't even consider Channukah to be a major holiday. And Kwanzaa is a made-up holiday, apparently only for black people, anyway. If I celebrated a specifically Scottish holiday, I wouldn't expect Mexicans to keep track of it.

And why is all the argument over this time of year? Where's the offense in not wishing Jews a Happy Passover around Easter? Or on ANY of their major holidays? If Channukah and Kwanzaa occured in August, I don't think anyone would raise a stink about this.

I just love seeing TV stations and such having their graphics that say the obligatory and PC "Happy Holidays" as to be all-inclusive, but the graphic is decorated with wreaths, holly and red and green. Good try.

So why does Christmas get the prominance? Probably because, and this is key, it's a NATIONAL HOLIDAY. Channukah and Kwanzaa are not. When a holiday is a national holiday, it's going to get a lot of public attention. Especially when it has grown past it's specifically religious roots and expanded as Christmas has. Now it's almost just a joyful shopping holiday full of generic happiness.

So if things keep going as they are, Christians may join the ranks of those offended by wishes of "Merry Christmas." Think about it. It may become all about the materialism. And materialism is a sin. And as Christians, sin is at least supposed to offend us, right?

Speaking of the real reason for Christmas, we should all now be hearing the call from pastors for us to celebrate it's true meaning, the birth of Christ, all year round, not just this time of year. But have you ever noticed that they only say that around this time of year? Isn't that a bit ironic? Why are they not checking up on us throughout the year to make sure we still appreciate Jesus's birthday?

Of course, I wouldn't have a problem with wishing someone well on their specific holiday that I don't observe. But that would probably only be if I knew the person and knew when the holiday was. I just don't like it when people are commanded to recognize only a handfull of specific holidays as a nation, even so much as being threatened with litigation if they do not. That's different.

But, just to cover all of my readers anyway, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Chappy Channukah, Krazy Kwanzaa and Boffo Boxing Day!