Just the other day, I found myself rushing to get the last of my holiday shopping done. As I rang everything up at the register, I was greeted by a "Happy Holidays" from the cashier. And shockingly enough, my entire holiday was not ruined.

The debate of how to express holiday spirit is a topic of furious debate that rears its wonderful head every year. As the Establishment Clause does not permit the state to mandate a religion on the people, countless state institutions have faced various litigation over celebrating the season. Most of these cases feature public outrage at holiday signs not exhibiting aspects of every holiday. The public finds that these displays for the season act as near endorsements for the faiths.

As a Catholic, I was always told to respond to the "Happy Holidays" with "Merry Christmas". There was no questioning it, despite two other major holidays occurring at the same time. I can recall other Catholics drilling into my head that Christ was the "reason for the season". Add the extreme amount of "Keep Christ in Christmas" bumper stickers present in my town and it is nigh unavoidable.

While Pew Research finds that 2.2 billion people celebrate Christmas, 14 million Jews and 12 million people celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa worldwide. Christianity may have a majority, it is important that we continue to respect the faiths and traditions of all. Catholicism preaches the acceptance of other's faiths, and it certainly should not be impressed on others.

So no, I did not shout "Merry Christmas" at the cashier. I wished her "Happy Holidays" as well. I urge my peers to do the same. No one likes a jerk this holiday season. Not everyone celebrates what you do. Wish anyone whatever you like, but make sure not to do so aggressively. Happy Holidays.