Merry - (fill-in-the-blank)

Checking my Facebook "News Feed" this morning reminded me that the belief that our society has declared "War On Christmas" is alive and, in some eyes, not "well." It began a few years ago when the word "Holiday" popped-up on cards, in advertisements, and in talk, to replace "Christmas" in a variety of ways that have offended a vast percentage of Christians and basic traditionalists.

A post that is circulating on FB makes it very clear that people are going to "Christmas" parties; putting up a "Christmas" tree; buying "Christmas" presents, and so on. The inference, of course, is a rejection of the use of the generic "Holiday."

It's understandable that those who prefer tradition for either religious or cultural reasons dislike the changes that have been going on in semantics, as well as attitude, surrounding the year's most hyped holiday. And, that is what it has become over the years: a hyped buying spree.  But, for those who celebrate more than the material side of what is supposed to be the birth date of Jesus, the very idea that people are replacing "Christmas" with "Holiday" can be the final straw on a deepening cultural divide within the US - in particular.

Change is often unsettling. Many of us grew up with "Christmas" as our only awareness of what this time of the year is all about. The reason? Isolation from other cultures. Parents who were either prejudiced against non-Christians, or utterly oblivious to anything other than what they had been taught and were now passing on to their children.

With no disrespect to those who believe in, want to stay attached to, the "Christmas" marquee in every form during this month of numerous holidays of many faiths, I have to defend the use of "Holiday" in MOST situations...for the very reason mentioned above.

If I send a "Merry Christmas" card to a Jewish friend, am I not insulting and offending them? I either send a Happy Hanukkah, or, if I prefer to be frugal and to keep things simple in my life, I will simply buy "Happy Holiday" cards and send that greeting to everyone. This season is not just for Christians: it should be mentioned that Hanukkah is always celebrated a few days before Christmas. (This year on the 21st.)

Ignoring one prominent religion's holy day and demanding that only one religion's Special Day should be mentioned on cards and decorations and through speech, is not what I grew up to understand was the spirit of my country.

"Christmas" is not celebrated by many of the people in my life. It doesn't mean they don't go to parties of their non-Jewish or non-Buddhist friends at this time of the year, as holidays are all about gathering together with friends, family, and celebrating; but it also means that I would not go to their home and call their Hanukkah decorations "Christmas" decorations, would I? Nor would you, right?


And if I walk into your home and see what are clearly Christmas decorations, I'll recognize that you're specifically celebrating "Christmas."

So, what's wrong with respecting other's differing beliefs and/or cultural traditions by not forcing "Merry Christmas" down everyone's throats as so many people tend to do when in some situations it is simply not appropriate?

I do agree and believe that merchants and marketers are completely off in judging the mood of the people/consumers when they begin to refer to what are clearly traditional pine trees, decorations, and other symbols that are specifically CHRISTMAS (and nothing else) as a "Holiday Tree" - for example. Now that's just stupid.

If "Holiday" is abused, then sure, go at 'em. If not, if it is simply an alternative use to the more generic elements of the season, then it would be nice if those who rail that there is a "War On Christmas" realize that America, the US of A, is a "melting-pot." It was devised as such.

As time goes on and more of the diverse world cultures come together under one country's section of the O-Zone, adjusting to change is a necessity. If not, then those who resist it will eventually become the most bitter and dangerous of the lot. We are already witnessing the cultural freak-out with the pushy arrival of the angry, often irrational, Tea Party.

So, for all of us, let's just relax about all of the silly minutiae of semantics and enjoy whatever it is that resonates for us, rather than insisting everyone else go Our Way. 

Hey, each one of us has our own "Way," eh?


NOTE: For those who would like to know: Here is a list of holy days for several religions. Merry What?

Image Via: http://variousmiseries.blogspot.com