Merry Christmas. Two very simple and kind words that seem to step on a lot of people’s toes. I can’t help but wonder why. Let’s break down the phrase. The definition of “merry” is full of cheerfulness or gaiety; joyous in disposition or spirit. Christmas is defined as the annual festival of the Christian church commemorating the birth of Jesus. Neither word seems to indicate any sense of hatred or disgust. In fact it almost seems as if when someone says it, they are wishing them well. That’s because they are. When someone wishes you a Merry Christmas, they are saying that they hope their December 25th is nice.
Yes, Christmas is a Christian holiday, but Christians are not the only ones to enjoy it. The spirit of Christmas has spread beyond the realm of Christianity into society. Many people see it as a time for family, friends, and charity. It has spread so far into commercialism, that some people find it not to be a religious holiday. Though, religion seems to be the main argument against it.
First, let me reiterate that Merry Christmas is a phrase to wish someone happiness during the time in which Christmas is observed. To me Merry Christmas is just about as offensive as Happy Hanukkah. By some people’s reasoning, I should be unhappy that someone wished me joy during a holiday that I don’t celebrate. I find that reasoning incredibly stupid. When someone says either of those things to you, they are inviting you to have fun during their holiday. They are not aiming to convert you. So get that idea out of your head. Not every word remotely associated with religion is meant for proselytization.
If you hear your teacher or professor say “Have a Merry Christmas,” instead of the more politically correct “Happy Holidays,” don’t raise a fuss. Before you dismiss me with “there is no war on Christmas” please read this list of happening from this Christmas season. If that isn’t enough, one school even took out part of their play’s Merry Christmas Charlie Brown. Yes, Merry Christmas Charlie Brown, a cultural icon of our elementary school days. They removed Linus’s true meaning of Christmas in order to stay politically correct. If you’re not Christian then these words will mean little to nothing to you. They will not forcibly convert you or physically assault you. These words simply will just be there. So just smile and nod if you don’t like someone wishing you happiness.
To you Scrooges out there, someone saying Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, etc. should not be something to take offense to. What should be more offensive is the inability for people to express their faith in a joyous manor freely. The idea that people should censor their merry greetings is absurd. If you get offended by the words Merry Christmas, then maybe you should sit back, breathe, and learn to take in another person’s cultural instead whining about how they offend you.
So, Merry Christmas!
