There is
much discussion in politics and between friends and neighbors about the use of
“Happy Holiday” verses the familiar “Merry Christmas!” Let me begin by saying I prefer Merry
Christmas, but was calmed when I understood that “holiday” actually can mean
“holy-day.” Now that said, it doesn’t necessarily have that definition anymore. In fact, as the word has changed over the
years, it has acquired a much more secular meaning.
Because
of the way we look at what a holiday is in our world today, it’s hard to
connect the idea of a sacred “Holy Day” --- Christmas --- by simply saying
“holiday.” The word holiday holds no
sacred meaning, given the way we use it.
This is likely why so many people are outraged that while Happy Holidays is
somehow politically correct, the term “Merry Christmas” carries the
connotation of sacredness, which is important to Believers!
Originally the word had more to do
with a religious festival or a hallowed day.
Now the word has more to do with a “free day” off from work or school
because it’s a federally designated day.
People today, usually don’t even equate “holiday” with the original
“holy-day” meaning at all. For the
business world it’s another “big money day” while for shoppers it’s usually a
discount day! We’ve even created a day
called “Black Friday” because following the day after Thanksgiving, it’s become
the biggest shopping day of the year!
So we come to an impasse. We have holiday stamps and wrapping
paper. There are holiday greetings and
celebrations. And we have been instructed to say “Happy Holidays” rather than
Merry Christmas so we don’t offend anyone; staying “politically correct!”
Does it matter to my faith that we
say, Happy Holidays? It does only in the
sense that I am being singled out as a Believer, implying that my faith doesn’t
matter, because someone else is offended by the term. Yet we can say Happy Kwanza or Happy
Hanukkah. Yet to say Merry Christmas is
unacceptable.
I love Christmas! It’s the most “wonderful time of year!” It’s a time when people seem to put most of
the prejudices aside and are collectively kind and caring for each other. I love the music, the magic, decorations,
movies, snow (yes, I love having snow this time of year!), gift giving (getting
is fun too!) and the general time of love.
So I encourage you to look beyond
the expression of Happy Holidays, say Merry Christmas when you can, and share
the wonder of Christmas with everyone you see.
When you do, it truly is magical, as we celebrate this special Holy Day!
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