The whole “Happy Holidays” versus “Merry Christmas” debate boils down to one question: Is it OK to say “Merry Christmas” to a non-Christian? Businesses banning “Merry Christmas” don’t do it to insult the speaker – they push “Happy Holidays” to show compassion for the listener.

What we have here is a failure to communicate.

Okay to say “Merry Christmas”?

Answer 1: Yes, it’s fine.
It’s one person wishing another person happiness. The context might be off but the intention is clear.

Answer 2: It’s wrong.
If “Merry Christmas” is an aggressive force-my-religion-down-your-throat missive, it’s rude. It’s legal and Constitutional, but it shows a lack of sensitivity to the diverse group of people who live in this world. “End of the year, Dec. 25, is ours, and you don’t have a reservation. You’re not one of us. Wait outside.”

At Disney World this year, employees in one department received instructions to keep gifts non-denominational and stick to “Happy Holidays.” The mandate shows that Disney tolerates all religious beliefs. It also performs a legal function – it shows Disney proactively bans on-the-job religious discrimination, which could come in handy if questioned in a court of law.

Happy Holiday’s goal is to build rapport – not tear it down.

A missed opportunity to spread the word

Forgetting beliefs, Christmas is Christians’ biggest public relations opportunity of the year. It focuses on the uplifting parts of belief – peace on earth, goodwill to men (and women), charity and family. For many religious fence-sitters, it can be the gateway drug that leads them to join a local church.

Why, then, do a select few Christians attack non-believers at a time when they can save souls? It’s like watching a heart warming Christmas movie and, at the end, the eldest son shoots old Yeller.

A one-sided war

An even smaller group of Merry-Christmas advocates think the Happy-Holiday people have organized – that they elected officers and drew up battle plans to nix religion altogether. If the anti-Christmas people wanted to organize, they’d create a Facebook page. Why so angry?

Etiquette

People should be polite – treat others as they wish to be treated.

A Christian can say “Happy Hanukah” on Dec. 6 and mean “have a great time with family and friends” without suggesting latent Jewish tendencies. It recognizes differences and suggests they don’t matter. It’s not an implied agreement with someone else’s beliefs.

Who can celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is everywhere. Can a Jew put up a lighted tree? Can lapsed ex-Christians exchange gifts? Should publicly held corporations put a nativity scene in the lobby?

The core message of Christmas is religious: That God gave mankind eternal life by sending his son, Jesus Christ, down to earth to die for our sins. But the related messages are eternal and non-denominational: It’s better to give than to receive; love thy neighbor as thyself; celebrate blessings; advocate for world peace.

Most people know the Happy-Holidays-versus-Merry-Christmas battle is fake. Most simply don’t care enough to join in.

Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart – Anne Frank

Happy holidays.

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