As much as I love Christmas and all things 'Christmassy' (I think I may have created another new word again!), this time of year can boggle my mind. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Season's Greetings! You hear them all during this time of year. Does one offend you more than others? Do you cringe when you hear one of the sayings more than you hear another? May I ask you why?
It really makes me sad that some people get mad that someone says Season's Greetings or continues with the phrase Happy Holidays rather than saying Merry Christmas. If someone is taking time out of their day to offer you a greeting of any sort, isn't it best to acknowledge and accept the greeting than to be upset that the greeting wasn't up to YOUR holiday liking? During this time of year there are a handful of holidays being celebrated.....Christmas (being the most well know), Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Chinese New Year, New Year, and probably even more I am unaware of. People get upset if a cashier at a store says Happy Holidays or Season's Greetings, but isn't that the safe way to do it because to those who might not celebrate Christmas due to their religion or other beliefs, this is a welcome greeting. Not everyone celebrates Christmas, prior to popular belief on the subject. And quite honestly, the Christian reason for Christmas is NOT the Christmas we know of today. I sincerely doubt that Jesus Christ would condone the materialistic holiday that Christmas has become. I will say this....I would much rather see Hapiy Holidays! or Season's Greetings! than Merry XMas. That truly and honestly grates my nerves and makes me want to hurt people! Sorry! Just keeping it real, folks!
Some call it “the holidays” in attempts not to offend, while others are considerably offended by the leaving out of Christ in the holiday. I find it all to be a bit self righteous of people to think that THEIR religion or holiday is the only one celebrated at this time of year. By that I mean, what is the reason for the season? The reason is likely different for many different people. Obviously, most of the holidays this time of year are heaped in religious and cultural traditions. In MY world, I celebrate a Merry Christmas. MY holidays are heaped with the Christian premise for what we are celebrating. In MY world, I prefer to say Merry Christmas, but I am not offended if you do not. We are free to believe what we want and should not be offended when others don't share our beliefs.
Rather than get ourselves all in a tizzy over linguistics, maybe it’s more important to zero in on the reason for the season. And that reason is different for different religions and various cultures; but no matter the reasons, it mostly boils down to sacrifice, reflection, community, family, and love. Nowhere in that list does the season include bickering with one another on holiday terminology, or making sure to get everyone everything on their almighty lists. What you do and what you call it is your prerogative and it’s not for me (or anyone else, really) to judge. What I will say, however, is that MY reason for the season is simply put; the people I love, a simple reminder that there is a lot to be thankful for in our lives, and the birth of a helpless little baby, in a manger, in a stable, in Bethlehem.
Until tomorrow, my friends......
Think Thankfully!!!
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