VERY well said. I am a Christian. I say happy holidays most of the time. Mainly because I sing Andy Williams' version in my head all winter long, lol.
Saying, "Merry Christmas."
- Thread starter Captain Pre-Capsize
- Start date
- Status
@FarmerTan,
Do the Merry Bells keep ringing in your head all winter long too?
So whoop-de-do and hickory dock
And don't forget to hang up your sock!!!
He'll be coming down the chimney now!
When the Christmas season starts in mid-September, it's easy to get burned out by December. The "war on Christmas" is over and Wal-Mart won.
My last post in this one is to the people who claim to follow Christ, yet get twisted when someone says Happy Holidays. Do you think Jesus would approve of your actions when you go into jerk mode when someone gives you a salutation that you do not approve of? Hell, what would Mr. Rogers have to say about it? You are told to go out as a light in the world, and to live as an example of your faith, not to be a grumpy, petulant jerk.
Thank you for the reminder my friend. I'm a work in progress, but I will fail daily without reminders.
Please don’t think that I aimed this at anyone, just making a general statement. I did bring up Mr. Rogers for a reason. Many know I am an atheist who used to be a believer. Even as an atheist, I have no problems with Christians, and respect many. I respect him because he lives by his beliefs.
The War On Christmas shots came late this year.
We are all a work in progress and no one is without their flaws. It's an expectation of human behavior, but we tend to forget that.
It's a bit different when meeting with the public. You don't discuss politics or religion or even sports. We don't wear anything of that nature. I have a pin that says "Merry Christmas" and another that says "Bah, Humbug," and wouldn't dare wear them while meeting the public for business.
Have I said "Merry Christmas" while meeting the public? Sure. I wouldn't say that to some Buddhists or to Hindus or to Muslims or to Jews I've known and encountered, but I have used it.
Last edited:
I could go off on a tangent here, particular over what's called the "Christmas spirit" which should be extended to others the entire year. Don't be a jerk is a good axiom, but raised the question of what precisely that means. If someone says "Happy Holidays" to me, I'll say "Merry Christmas" in return, but that's all. That doesn't mean we have to smile and nod like that coin operated absolution machine in Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother over removing the title Christ from the celebration centered around His birth. That doesn't mean we have to get all in someone's face over it, but it's not something we should always ignore, either.
I did NOT take assume you were aiming at me my friend. I should have kept my mouth shut. I CHOSE to take your post as an opportunity to reflect on my often less than Christlike actions.
Good point.
Gives one hope!
Thank you, good Sir.
I think the grumpy petulant jerk part is in the Gospel of Thomas.
Should I doubt that?
I'm Jewish. My uncle used to own a toy store. Every Christmas, we'd have Chinese food at his house and he would lead "What a friend we have in Jesus."
If somebody greets you with "Happy Holidays" then it's really not appropriate to answer with "Merry Christmas" unless you know that person clearly celebrates Christmas. There's no reason to do that. If that person doesn't celebrate Christmas, it does come across as getting in their face over it.
Remembering "the reason for the season" is intended for Christians who need to be reminded to not get completely wrapped up in the secular side of the holiday. It's not for people you don't know. In general, the smartest play is to not assume anything about anyone. That is why retail clerks etc. aren't supposed to say Merry Christmas, because you can't assume things about the customers. That's all. It has nothing whatsoever to do with trying to take away the meaning of Christmas, and anyone who says otherwise is being untruthful to you. It's nothing more than being mindful of the fact that we don't all go to the same church and we need to be respectful of one another's choices.
Very well said.
It's interesting: Although, in North America, those who celebrate Christmas predominate, it's considered by some to be presumptuous to say "Merry Christmas," and yet it's not considered presumptuous to assume that a random person in North America does not. Unless I'm in a Kingdom Hall, or Buddhist Temple, or with Hindus or Jews or Muslims, odds favor that a person I say "Merry Christmas" celebrates Christmas, unless there's indications otherwise.
Besides which, I don't do politically correct.
I think this is fair. I can appreciate attempts at being inclusive to diversity, because let's be real, Christmas overshadows other holidays. It's everywhere. In the stores, on the radio, on TV, in all the shop windows. Christmas is even a federal holiday, though at this point many people observe it in a secular manner, so I suppose that's another debate.
I guess my point is, I'm not going to be mad at whatever holiday greeting is given to me, because it comes with good intentions. And I think most people see there's no ill will there. But, I can also understand how someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas would appreciate that small gesture among the tidal wave of Christmas they already face this time of year.
- Status
Similar threads
