Well, if I didn’t have a chance to offer you a “Merry Christmas” in person, I am hereby extending my very best (belated) wishes to you for a very happy Christmas. I offer my benevolence to each of you, regardless of your religious beliefs, political platforms, philosophical tendencies, ethnic origins, or gender.
I am always amazed come Christmastime that this jolly phrase manages to offend certain factions of society. “I do not celebrate Christmas,” sniff the killjoys. “Not only do I reject your Christmassy inclinations, I take umbrage at the fact that you did not find out my holiday habits (or lack thereof) and personalize your sentiments accordingly.”
Apparently the problems with a casual “Merry Christmas” range from the presumption that Christianity is the predominate American religion (…which it is, by the way) to a sort of inherent insult to all other religions/holidays by neglecting to mention them.
When I experience this negative reaction to my Christmas wishes, I am almost paralyzed by the flurry of responses that occur to me. I suppose I must start with the obvious fact that Christmas, though a holiday of religious origin, is hardly an exclusively religious holiday. As a non-Christian celebrator of Christmas, I assert that my enjoyment of Christmas trees, boisterous holiday music, stocking stuffers and fat men in red suits has absolutely nothing to do with the birth of our “savior,” baby Jesus. However, even if I were the most devout of Bible brandishers, I am thankfully guaranteed the right to celebrate my religion in any way I choose, provided it causes no harm to others nor prevents others from celebrating their own religions. I honestly cannot see how wishing you enjoyment of the holiday I celebrate causes you any harm or prevents you from getting on with your own celebrations.
Furthermore, whether you like it or not, Christmas is an American holiday. You do not have to observe it, but it is recognized by the American government, just as Memorial Day and Thanksgiving are. These days are not celebrated ubiquitously or unanimously, but they are official American holidays. In other words, my acknowledgement that Christmas is occurring and my wishing you a merry one should not be taken as attack or indoctrination.
“Merry Christmas” does not carry weighted implications that everyone must celebrate. It does not mock other holidays, or imply that Christmas is superior. It does not prevent someone from replying with “Happy Hanukkah.” In fact, I am grateful when I am wished happiness at any time of the year, regardless of the religious context. I find it pleasant that someone is wishing me well. Why does our society demand that I address each individual with the holiday wish best suited to that person’s particular beliefs? Or that, if I am unwilling to learn each individual’s particular beliefs, that I degrade my phrase to a generic hallmark “Happy Holidays?” And really, in that vein, shouldn’t “Happy Holidays” be forbidden for fear of offending those who choose not to celebrate any holiday?
In this beautiful world of political correctness that we have constructed, the only innocuous phrase we should utter is a banal “I wish you the best this winter season.” Of course, should I like to bestow good will to my friends abroad in Australia, I would have to cut out “winter” as it is not winter in that region of the globe and I might offend the Australians. And possibly the koalas.
I have a few theories on the possible development of this phenomenon. Firstly, basic jealousy may the explanation. Let’s face it: Christmas is a fantastic holiday. Whether or not you believe in baby Jesus, a holiday that emphasizes love, family, food, sales, gift-giving and candy canes is an enviable holiday indeed. I respect the right of various friends and family members to choose not to acknowledge Christmas, but I confess I do pity them. Perhaps they reject my Christmas wishes because of sheer holiday envy. I think the more likely explanation is that some people grow bored with the daily routine and, in desperation, they subsequently search out methods of creating excitement and drama in their humdrum lives. Displays of outrage and indignation serve this purpose well, but I refuse to apologize and will continue to offer a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.