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Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays

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Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays I love Christmas. I love what it represents, I love the festivities, and I love the goodwill that permeates at this time of year. What I don't love is the political correctness phase that has spread faster than a flu epidemic. We all know that Christmas represents Christ's birthday (not Santa Claus' birthday, as one child in church announced), so why is it frowned upon now to say the word Christ or Christmas? If the majority of inhabitants in this diverse country celebrate Christmas in some way, then making it a generic holiday will take away the meaning. Removing Christ from Christmas is something I frankly just don't understand. Apparently we are supposed to use generic greetings now, such as "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings,” and that was evident at a television commercial paraphrasing, "We wish you a happy holiday and a happy new year." I was bemused when a billboard shouted out, "Merry Jesusmas," but at least it didn't say, "Merry Holidaymas." When did "Merry Christmas" become a whisper? It gets worse every year. School nativity plays are banned. Christmas concerts are called holiday concerts or winter wonderland concerts. Carols don't have a place in schools any longer, and the radio just plays theme pop songs. Despite these irritations, let’s try and put things into perspective. No one can stop businesses from sticking to a non-specific holiday theme. The orgy of spending leads to commercialism, but that’s their business and their right. Are consumers going to stay away from using or purchasing products because there are no nativity scenes or religious carols in evidence? The secularization of Christmas continues in a blizzard of motion that spirals into a battle of cultural wars. Whatever happened to Peace on Earth? I, for one, will put Christ back into Christmas by continuing to say “Merry Christmas,” and partaking in religious and charitable activities, instead of demanding the return of Christian symbolism. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. God help us, every one. Maria Harden © 2005