I like to think of myself as an accepting person. I accept people's differing beliefs and values, just as I expect others to do for me. For this reason, when approaching someone from another culture who may not celebrate Christmas, I don't mind saying Happy Holidays. Of course, I don't want to offend them by taking an ethnocentric view on my own culture. But, then, there are those who offend me when they look me straight in the eyes and say "Happy Holidays."

Quite honestly, I was shocked at myself when I realized how much this bothers me. I am generally laid-back and I don't get angry easily. In fact, it's almost a job to make me really angry. However, I have three total pet peeves. One: when people crack their knuckles. Two: when people talk down to me. Three: when people tell me 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'.

First of all, I fully understand when people say 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas' due to cultural or religious reasons. I'm not so arrogant as to think that they should change their way of life to keep me from being upset. Obviously, if someone actively practices a religion that is not my own, I completely understand that Christmas simply isn't part of their lives. Happy Holidays becomes a problem to me when people say this as a way of avoiding the true meaning of Christmas.

I'm a firm believer that we celebrate Christmas in order to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the beginning of our redemption as a human race. Now, clearly, I can't force people to think this way. Yet, to me, if you live in the United States of America and you actively participate in the celebrations of Christmas, regardless of your religion, then you should not be walking around forcing people to say 'Happy Holidays'. What holidays? You are celebrating Christmas. That's what the holiday is called. What other holiday could you possibly be celebrating? Unless you are actively celebrating a holiday like Kwanzaa, then I really don't care to hear Happy Holidays leave your mouth.

In my opinion, our society becomes more corrupt the more we choose to take God out of the picture. What kind of society would we be if we took Christ out of a holiday that is literally meant to celebrate his birth? Think about it. What is the purpose of Christmas if God is not involved? It would be a pointless holiday. How would you respond if someone asked you why we celebrate Christmas? Imagine the conversation.

Person 1: So, what exactly is Christmas about?

Person 2: Oh, you know. We buy gifts for people.

Person 1: Why?

Person 2: That's just what we do.

Person 1: You dedicate an entire holiday to wasting money on useless junk for no actual reason?

See what I mean! Without Christ, there is no "holiday." There is merely an entire society of people without any core values who wander around every shopping center to buy gifts that they don't need. There is no probable cause. There is no method to the madness. There is no point! I want to be allowed to celebrate my savior on a holiday that is meant to be for Him in the first place. I don't want to be "politically correct" on this holiday. I want to be reminded that I should be merry because Jesus died and rose again.

As a Christian, I spend so much time trying not to offend others by "getting in the way" of freedom of religion. Yet, it seems to not matter as much when people offend me. Isn't that compromising freedom of religion? Shouldn't I be allowed to practice my religion without being told that I'm offensive to others? After all, people who don't believe in God are not judged for offending those of us who do. Why should it be any different the other way around?

I don't mean to come across self-righteous. I only mean to spread the message that Happy Holidays is not a sufficient replacement for Merry Christmas. In fact, the term doesn't even make sense if you're not celebrating a holiday other than Christmas. Most people in this country observe the practices of Christmas despite their religious affiliations, which is why I think even saying 'Happy Holidays' for the purpose of standing for other religions is also a weak argument. This change of phrase is simply another way to take God out of the lives of the collective whole in this country. I refuse to be part of it. I want to be part of the small percentage that lives for Jesus and plans to treat Christmas the way it should be treated, with admiration and respect for my one true savior.