Is Saying/Writing "Happy Holidays!" and/or "Season's Greetings!" UnChristian?
@AJ1952Chats (2332)
Anderson, Indiana
December 24, 2012 12:51am CST
How did December holiday greetings ever get to complicated?
When those of us who celebrate Christmas say "Merry Christmas!" to others (especially, if we're working at a place of business such as a store or restaurant), we risk being accused of offending others and/or trying to shove our Christian beliefs down the throats of people who might be of another religion or of no religion at all.
This seems to be so in spite of the fact that there are even people of other religions or of no religion at all who still celebrate Christmas in one way or another.
When we, instead, greet people with something like "Happy Holidays!" or "Season's Greetings!" there are actually fellow Christians out there who accuse us of denying/being ashamed of Jesus.
Back when I was growing up--in fact, until within the past two or three decades--"Merry Christmas!" "Happy Holidays!" and "Season's Greetings!" were all very acceptable greetings to use around this time of year, for Christians and nonChristians alike.
Christmas was, to me, an inclusive holiday. Even if somebody whom I knew to be an atheist wished me a "Merry Christmas!" I didn't take offense and tell him or her not to horn in on "MY" holiday.
A very special young man from Saudi Arabia who attended graduate school at the same time that I did and who was a Muslim enjoyed riding around and looking at all of the beautiful lights.
You can read our story by going here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/mvie_mu-1008591/content_40881524356
How did we EVER get to be so politically correct and afraid of offending others that we hardly know how to greet people at this time of the year!?!
2 people like this
5 responses
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
24 Dec 12
Oh i have heard this too in a radio interview with this woman who claims to have spoken to God and admitted she never saw God, just heard voices... She said that as this holiday come close, every year we are killing the purpose... We are indeed celebrating Christmas because of Jesus' birth, and instead of saying Merry Christmas to be reminded that it was Christ's day. we are all converting it to holidays, season's greetings, and all... and so as time goes by... people may eventually not remember the true meaning of the celebration and just take this as a holiday of forgotten meaning.
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@AJ1952Chats (2332)
• Anderson, Indiana
24 Dec 12
I believe that--when people say "Happy Holidays!"--they are wishing people happiness in whatever holiday each one happens to be celebrating.
As for Christmas...If we don't want for its meaning to be forgotten, then, we celebrate it without apology by doing such things as displaying Nativity scenes and other Christian traditions as part of our decorating whether it be decorating homes, websites, blogs, brick-and-mortar places of business, or other places.
We can share videos of Christmas music on our profile pages such as at Facebook.
We can write about what Christmas means to us.
For so long as there are people out there who will share Christmas with others, it won't turn into a forgotten holiday or lose its true meaning!
@AJ1952Chats (2332)
• Anderson, Indiana
24 Dec 12
I'm definitely okay with Santa Claus, and trading in gifts is actually something that people encourage you to do these days if you don't care for what you're given, so--while I've never done this--I understand that there are times when this is okay to do.
But, like you, I'm NOT okay AT ALL with a Christmas shopping experience turning into something you might see on The Jerry Springer Show.
Knocking someone down to grab a Cabbage Patch Doll is DEFINITELY not Christlike in the least!!!
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
25 Dec 12
hi there, AJ1952Chats, true we can never lose meaning of something especially if this has been the tradition but then, more so people are only aware or excitted about the parties they will attend, the gifts they will receive this season. Hence the start of not saying merry christmas and replacing it with season's greetings or happy holidays might be a start of the whole Christmas' purpose losing its true meaning.
Luckymadon, i agree with you. the commercialization has taken its toll.. many children now won't even bother but will only be aware of christmas as a time they will get holidays, or gifts and so on. it is more so us who have made it this way, whether we admit it or not. But yes, i do agree that it can't just be the holidays... the words used to greet each other... but there will be something that would ultimately help kill the true spirit and that is all of us, not reflecting on God and his Gift, Christ which is our true cause to this celebration.
AS for the giving of gifts, i think that served its purpose well, this is the season where we promote sharing, and giving to people.. that we share what our blessings are, but then if we expect our shares to be returned then that is where the whole thought would fail.
1 person likes this
@sriroshan (2585)
• India
24 Dec 12
My friend different people from different part of the world with different religion have got their own way to celebrate and greet each other on the festival time and new year time.
To tell you here at our place we do wish on Diwali, Christmas and New Year Day to each other, we send greeting cards, SMS or do the phone call to greet on this occasion.
I will say to you :-
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@AJ1952Chats (2332)
• Anderson, Indiana
24 Dec 12
Not even all Christians have the same customs when it comes to celebrating Christmas.
Believe it or not, some Christians don't even celebrate Christmas--and the same goes for Easter--as they believe that the holidays are actually nothing but pagan holidays dressed up in Christian disguises.
Personally, I believe the aforementioned are missing out on a lot.
I love learning about the different customs from various religions and cultures.
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Dec 12
This is a good discussion, as I say Merry Christmas all the time. Now if someone doesn't celebrate Christmqas, then they need to tell me, so I know the next time not to say Merry Christmas. I don't think it is wrong at all to say Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings, as it just depends on the individual saying or writing them. I am so use to saying Merry Christmas, that it is hard to do anything else. those that don't celebrate Christmas find it offensive when someone says Merry Christmas. On the other hand, I can say, that I am somewhat offensive when they don't say Merry Christmas. It really goes both ways, as there are many religions and sects in the world, that someone is bound to be offended, either way. I prefer someone to say Merry Christmas, but it just doesn't happen for every person, so I guess I am going to have to just accept the greeting given and move on. As long as we know the meaning of Christmas, then whatever greeting we receive should be okay. I wish for you a very Merry Christmas, and take care. 
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@AJ1952Chats (2332)
• Anderson, Indiana
24 Dec 12
I wish you a very merry Christmas, too!
When Jewish friends greet me with Happy Hanukkah, I don't find that to be the least bit offensive. I'm glad to be included in their celebrating.
It's too bad that people take offense to hearing holiday greetings from other religions--with the exception of really negative ones. I'm not going to return a greeting that might be a "Happy We Hate Ni***rs Day!" or something like that. But I find the holidays of most religions to be very positive, even if I don't believe in this or that religion.
@nat1_ong (150)
• Guam
25 Dec 12
My supervisor at work told me to greet Merry Christmas, instead of Happy Holidays because the Birth of Jesus Christmas or Christmas Time is not comparable to ordinary Holidays we usually celebrate. But, for me it is not Unchristian to greet others Happy Holidays. I do not know for some cultures or races. I have no idea, but whatever the greetings are as long as you show to them the real spirit of Christmas like giving love and care to others especially to your loved ones, you are doing good for God's glory as His son saved us for our eternal life.
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@AJ1952Chats (2332)
• Anderson, Indiana
25 Dec 12
This is a very good answer! I believe that this very spirit is why people seem to love Christmas so much--even including those who don't believe as we do.
When we do horrible things in the name of Jesus, we're doing far more harm that we might ever do by including Santa Claus in the holiday traditions. In fact, Santa represents that spirit of giving.
@AJ1952Chats (2332)
• Anderson, Indiana
29 Dec 12
Amen to what you've said!!!
Although I'm always very happy to receive gifts from others, when it comes to giving to others, it should be about the joy of giving and making a positive difference instead of taking on a "What's in it for me?" attitude.
The giving in and of itself should be your blessing, and anything else resulting from it is simply icing on the cake!
@nat1_ong (150)
• Guam
27 Dec 12
I saw a picture on facebook. A picture of santa and a poor boy. The poor boy asked, "Santa, why don't I have gifts, too?". Santa answered, "Because you are a poor boy.". My reaction was :(. Like Santa in this picture that I saw, in reality, there may be some people who may have that kind of attitude. You don't share your blessings to the less fortunate, instead you give it to the rich, because you know that they will give more in return. That's wrong notion. For me, you should give your blessings to everyone equally or much more for the less fortunate. I would love to help the less fortunate. For now, I am helping my relative who is not well-to-do first. I am still saving money for them. For now, I am cutting down on my expenses materially to give more to others. When the time comes, I will give back to my country.
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@hoseasmate (720)
• United States
25 Dec 12
I don't take offense at all when someone wishes me Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, or Season's Greetings. It is the thought that counts. I also have a lot of Mexican friends who tell me Feliz Navidad. Of course when I was young I promise you everyone said Merry Christmas and no one I knew or heard said anything different! But I like being able to embrace other cultures and learn about other people and how they celebrate and why they celebrate. It expands my world and enriches my life.
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@AJ1952Chats (2332)
• Anderson, Indiana
25 Dec 12
Your thoughts and my thoughts are very much alike on this matter! I'm glad to know that you're open to learning about the religions and cultures of others!
