Tigg
and I were talking about the holidays the other day. She had heard
about how some people were taking action against others that had
wished them a “Merry Christmas.” I had heard about this as well,
and I wish I could find a link or two for you to read. But I don’t
think I need to, because I don’t think this idea is incredibly
surprising news to you. I’m sure many of you… most of you… have
heard about it as well.
As
I understand it, the premise is this… a few people, either for
religious reasons or personal anti-Merry Christmas sentiments,
are insulted by people wishing them a “Merry Christmas.” The claim
being, it’s offensive and insensitive.
I
admit that every so often I’m a victim of my upbringing. I couldn’t
tell you when Hanukkah started this year. (Actually… I felt bad
for saying that and looked it up… it started on December 8th,
with the beginning arriving at sundown on December 7th.) In recent
years I’ve been vaguely aware of Kwanzaa… to the degree that I
know how to spell it but have only a small grasp of its significance
and history. My ignorance in these areas are, in part, a result
of not being raised celebrating these holidays. And I know that
I’m not alone.
I
try to say “happy holidays” to people more often than not. And
I have used the reliable “season’s greetings” at times. I even
put a lot of thought into the selection of cards when I can, making
attempts to have some that move beyond specific holiday themes
into the best wishes of happiness. But all of this doesn’t always
work, because my absent-minded-self takes over…
Christmas
is Saturday this year. And this week I have found myself telling
people to “have a good holiday if I don’t see you.” Well, Hanukkah
is over. It’s pretty apparent that by locking it into the events
of the weekend, I’m not wishing them a Happy New Year. The words
may not say it, but let’s face facts… I’ve really just said “Merry
Christmas.” I hope the people that don’t celebrate Christmas aren’t
insulted. No one has mentioned it to me yet.
The
reason I’m upset about this is that all I’m trying to do is extend
a warm greeting. Holiday greeting, yes. Still, more personal and
generally well-intended than religious or narrowly defined.
I’m
trying to be kind to my friends, family, co-workers, and just
to others in general. I’m trying to care. That’s a good thing…
right? The words coming out of my mouth may be “Merry Christmas,”
but what I’m actually saying is something short and well-intended
that might more accurately be expressed as “best wishes for the
season, and I hope things are happy, safe and warm for you and
your family and those you love.”
I
wonder about the motivation and rationale of these anti-Merry
Christmas people. For instance, I often find that many of the
same people attacking these holiday specific words that are often
offered with good intentions are not worrying about bumper stickers
that tell me in obscene language what I can do if I think the
car’s operator isn’t driving safely. They’re not commenting about
offensive t-shirts. They don’t seem too fixated on more glaring
insults and vulgarities. I guess what I mean, without going too
far on this tirade, is that I think there are far more obvious,
significant and worse issues to be concerned with than specific
words that someone uses when offering a pleasant greeting.
It’s time to go easy on these supposedly well-motivated, politically
correct approaches to all of this. Because they’re wrong. I don’t
find them to well-intended at all. They’re disruptive, aggressive,
and cruel. It’s making way, way, way too much out of it. I said
“Merry Christmas” or “happy holidays” and not “shove it up your
behind.”
I
want you and your family and friends to enjoy the season and be
healthy. I used to think such wishes and sentiments were good
things. I used to believe it was common knowledge that being nice
could be simple and mattered.
Anyway…
Merry
Christmas.