Keeping Christ in Christmas: It's Not Happy Holidays, It's Merry Christmas

There was a time many years ago when it was normal and common to hear "Merry Christmas" near the end of December when referencing the coming Christmas holiday. Somewhere along the way, "Merry Christmas" turned into "Happy Holidays", an attempt to include all and not offend anyone by making reference to the birth of Christ, celebrated on Christmas Day.

Christ was not born in December 25, and most Christians and non-christians know this. December 25, Christmas Day, is the day we celebrate the birth of Christ. Christmas is meant to remind us of the birth of the Savior.

With this knowledge in mind, I am left to wonder why "Merry Christmas" was shoved aside to make room for "Happy Holidays", why some feel they need to undo Christmas and what it stands for to attempt to include everyone that is offended by the mention of Christ on the very day we celebrate His birth.

For those that are offended by Christmas, by the mention of Christ, by the idea that we celebrate His birth on Christmas Day... for those that want us to say "Happy Holidays" and not utter "Merry Christmas" greetings and wishes, I offer up this suggestion. Make your own holiday to celebrate what you do or not not believe in, and leave Christmas and the "Merry Christmas" alone.

In the past week, on three separate occasions, I have been told "Happy Holidays" and not one mention of "Merry Christmas". Each time, it was by American English speaking people, no one in another country or even with a foreign accent. Two instances were in stores, one on the phone. On all three occasions, I replied with "Merry Christmas". After all, we are about to celebrate Christmas Day, not Holiday Day.

Keeping Christ in Christmas might seem a silly thought or idea to non-christians, and even to some Christians. The idea of being greeted with "Happy Holidays" over "Merry Christmas" might seem trivial to some also. To me, it's far from trivial however. It's intended to keep from offending those who do not believe in Christ. Yet Christ is the very reason we celebrate Christmas Day, the very reason the day is even named Christmas. So why are we, as Christians, worried about offending people who want to take Christ out of Christmas, so much so that some Christians are actually offended themselves over someone not saying "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas".

So again I say, for those that are offended by Christ in Christmas, get your own holiday. Name it as you see fit, greet people as you see fit concerning it, celebrate it as you see fit. Leave Christmas alone. Christ is the reason for the season, and Christ will never be out of Christmas, nor will I ever stop saying "Merry Christmas" and pick up "Happy Holidays".