Happy Holidays? I Wonder Which Ones...
Monday, 30 November 2009 13:12
I spent a few minutes on the phone with a customer earlier, and he asked how my Thanksgiving had been. After exchanging pleasantries, we got off the phone, and he wished me a "Happy Holidays". I wish he'd told me which holidays he was wishing me well with, but we were off the phone before I could ask him about that.
Considering that Thanksgiving was last week, I don't think he was wishing me Happy Thanksgiving. It's way too early to start wishing someone Happy New Year, that's still a month away. I guess that leaves Hanukkah and Christmas. Most Jewish folks in this area know that Christmas exists, and taht it is a significant holiday for most of the area's population, so I doubt they mind hearing a "Merry Christmas" offered in the spirit of love. Most Christians (at least the ones who paid attention in Sunday School) know that our faith comes from a history full of of Jewish traditions, and a nice "Happy Hanukkah" is a good reminder for us.
Why are people so reluctant to say "Merry Christmas", if that's what they mean? Has our culture conditioned us to the point where the risk of possible wishing a Merry Christmas to a non-believer has us too afraid to say the words?
Personally, as a Christian, I'd rather hear a "Happy Hanukkah" any day over the politically safe, sterile phrase "Happly Holidays".
Merry Christmas, y'all.
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