I often flinch inside when someone wishes me “happy holidays.” “What’s wrong with saying ‘Merry Christmas?’” says the annoyed inner voice. Nothing, of course, but nevertheless I’m trying to get over my flinching.
Hardly anybody who says “happy holidays” does so out of disrespect for the Christian feast. They do it out of politeness. There are some people who might receive Christmas greetings uncomfortably, and a tiny handful who are actively hostile to Christianity. But rarely do the people who say “happy holidays” feel this way. They want to express good will without offending anyone. Who can complain about that?
But Christians do complain. I complain. This troubles me. For one thing, it’s an egocentric complaint. It boils down to grumbling that people (society, the culture, “them”) don’t see Christmas the same way I do. That’s largely true; they don’t. But they have some positive idea about the season. It involves good cheer, human warmth, and celebration. Happy holidays. It’s something to respect, not grumble about.
After all, the reason why people think about being generous, enjoying their families, and doing things better in the new year is because Christ has come into the world. The babe of Bethlehem changed everything. Salvation has come. We can hope for something better. The holly and the sleigh bells, the lights on the house and Santa on the porch, Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas” and friends wishing you “Happy Holidays”—all this says that Christ has come. We can find him everywhere. It’s easy to see him at this time of year.
I say “Merry Christmas” to people whom I know to be Christian. I might say “Happy Holidays” to a stranger, because you can’t tell by looking whether someone might be Jewish (or pagan, for that matter). I don’t worry that I will offend them, so much as remind them how frequently they are overlooked….
I live in a country where Christmas deos not really have any deep meaning except Santa Claus and Shopping. But New Year is more celebrated in the Traditional way. Going home to their hometowns and just being together under a “kotatsu” a table with a heater under. And beinga foreigner, far away from home, it harder to imagine a Christmas without one’s own family. So trying to coem together and cooking one’s native dish and making the kids enjoy and play togteher is very important. The spirit of Christ Coming holds so dear in our hearts and brings us together if we know how deeply important it is.
Happy Holy days. Bless the Lord Jesus Christ who sends blessed holiness into the world.