The Battle Between "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" - Nikki Lorenzini

This year, I have been hearing talk about the so called "War on Christmas." People who do not celebrate Christmas are offended over the phrase, and those who do are upset at the dismissal. I seen a website that showed how "Pro Christmas" companies were by the amount of times they mentioned "Merry Christmas" in advertising, and asked that those who don't, are boycotted.

As a Christian, I am truly conflicted over this controversy. On one hand, I am all for keeping the phrase Christmas around. I am confident in what I believe, and what Christmas is supposed to stand for. When I hear people "complain" (which is never, it is just portrayed to me via the media), it does cut to the core a bit since people do not get up in arms about Hanukkah or Kwanzaa.

There is also the problem that even though Christmas is a religious holiday, it also has turned into a secular holiday, in which, over the years, trading gifts became synonymous with the birth of Christ, and then slowly overshadowed it. Now it seems that it has become both an American holiday in which people buy gifts for each other, throw parties, etc. I think the lines of religious vs. secular have now become blurred, and what was once a religious holiday has now become PC so everyone can be at ease celebrating. I am not sure when this has happened, when a holiday that was supposed to be celebrating the birth of Christ was turned into a shopping extravaganza. Ever since I have become a Christian, the whole idea of receiving gifts during this time has totally turned me off. I know I am probably the exception with this.

In Philadelphia, at the City Hall, they have a Christmas Village where there are different vendors there selling their wares. There was a big to do there where people wanted "Christmas" to be taken down. It was for a few days, then put back up because people were made it was taken down. I went there about a week ago. Besides having over priced ornaments, it really didn't get me in the spirit. So having "Christmas" up or not, I  really don't think it would of mattered. The commercialism has gotten totally in the way of the season.

I will not get offended if someone tells me, "Happy Holidays." In fact, I have come to realize that "Happy Holidays" is an all encompassing phrase, not only to include Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, but has the non-religious, including New Years and Thanksgiving. Two holiday's that we all can enjoy, despite religious affiliations. When I am told "Happy Holidays," I will just return it with "Merry Christmas," and understand that they might not believe in the same Christmas as I do.