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Is Saying "Merry Christmas" Wrong?

A perspective on the difference between "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" in the US.

Matthew Gallo

Dec 24, 2019

Fordham University

Tree branches, Card saying "Happy Holidays"

Biljana Jovanovic from Pixabay

Sidenote: The plot and characters in this story are fictional.

"Happy Holidays everyone! I hope that you all have a great holiday vacation, and I will see you in three weeks" the teacher said.

While the children starting leaving the class with their parents slowly, one mom went up to the teacher.

"Mary, hi I'm Rose, Ian's Mom".

"Hi Rose, how are you?" Mary replied.

"I am ok, but I saw your sign saying 'Happy Holidays'. Everyone in this class is Christian, so why not just say Merry Christmas?" Rose asked.

"Well, first, not everyone in this class is Christian. We have some children who are Jewish, and some that were raised under no religion"

"And?" asked Rose.

"Having a sign that says 'Happy Holidays' is more inclusive and respectful. I mean I know that most people don't really care about this 'Merry Christmas' vs. 'Happy Holidays' thing, but again, it's just to be respectful and inclusive" Mary said.

"But don't most people in the US celebrate Christmas?" Rose asked.

"Yes, but still it's just more respectful. I mean if it was between you and it would be fine, but saying it in front of a group of people of different religions, or those that you don't know is not the most inclusive". Mary responded.

"This is honestly too politically correct for me" Rose responded. "Christmas is Christmas and no one is going to stop me from saying it"

"No one should stop you from saying it, I agree. But if you're talking to a large room of people, or you have a sign for celebrating the holidays, 'Happy Holidays' is simply more inclusive". Mary explained.

"But also by saying 'Happy Holidays', you are taking Jesus Christ out of Christmas" Rose said.

"First, if you are talking about the Christmas where there is Santa, reindeer, wrapped gifts, sales, red and other colored bows, that's not Christmas, that's just Capitalism. If you're talking about Christmas with Jesus Christ, then yeah that Christmas does involved Jesus. But again, not everyone celebrates Christmas. And saying 'Happy Holidays' allows everyone to express the First Amendment, to practice their religion freely" Mary explained.

"Well how can I worship Jesus Christ's birth when people tell me Happy Holidays?" Rose asked.

Having enough of this conversation, as it did get annoying Mary replied "if you make everyone say 'Merry Christmas', then you are not allowing others, such as those who celebrate Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, to celebrate their holidays. Therefore, you are not restricting people's first amendment rights to practice their own religions. Lastly, the US is not a Christian country, the US Constitution doesn't allow that" Mary said, and started to walk out of the class.

"What?" asked Rose.

"Sorry, I gotta go. Happy Holidays" Mary yelled, walking out of the school to her car.

Rose stood confused.

For Further Reading:

Abadi "Trump vowed to get rid of 'Happy holidays' — but it turns out most people don't care whether anyone says 'Merry Christmas'"

Underwood "Here's When to Say 'Happy Holidays' Instead of 'Merry Christmas'"

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Is Saying "Merry Christmas" Wrong?

A perspective on the difference between "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" in the US.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Ingredients

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Ingredients

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A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day not at the lake.

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You have no patience for the guy who can't back his trailer into the water right.

Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

The cooler is always packed, mostly with beer.

Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.

You have no problem with peeing in the water.

You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.

Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

1. My school is incredibly unique.

2. I am not just a number at my school.

3. I feel like I am contributing something to the community.

5. My professors know me and I feel that I can easily communicate with them.

6. The incredible people I've met

7. Opportunities

8. Students want to learn

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10. I have figured out how I learn best because my school offers so many different ways of learning.

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