Putting the “Bah” back in “Humbug”
I’ll save Tommy the effort by announcing up front that the opinions in this post are mine and may not reflect the opinions of anybody else in the universe. Also, I posted this on my blog today as well. Lest you think it’s stale, I’ll tell you that only three people read my blog.
Long before “putting the Christ back in Christmas” became all the rage this year, another turn of phrase became popular — “What Would Jesus Do?”
Let’s ask that now.
Would Jesus tell us to boycott businesses that say “Happy Holidays” and instead spend all our money on consumer goods at “Christian” businesses while we celebrate a holiday that began with pagans but became his birthday celebration? Would Jesus like the fact that some of his followers are so incensed about being wished a happy holiday that they feel victimized, when there are plenty of other issues to spend their energy on like say, poverty and world hunger? Would Jesus listen to that song, “Christmas Shoes?”
I’m your basic heathen so I am not in any position to answer these questions. But after wishing people a happy holiday after signing copies of my book for them in Sarasota, one lady hanging about was bothered enough to whisper about it to somebody else who remarked loudly enough for me to hear, “That’s why I always say ‘Merry Christmas’ just as often as I can!” Sorry to have stepped on your Christian toes, ladies, but I stand by my decision to use a nice, inclusive greeting for people whose religious beliefs I can’t possibly tell by looking at them. And you know what? I don’t think Jesus would have minded.
Tags: diversity, news, tampa
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December 19th, 2005 at 9:33 pm
I’m with you, Wendy. People who get upset with “Happy Holidays” need a good stiff eggnog. Take a deep breath, people, and relax.
December 20th, 2005 at 1:46 am
Count me in too! I think it is a pretty elitest attitude to assume that everyone around you celebrates Christmas. If you know that they do, feel free to wish them a Merry Christmas. I think you might find it a little odd if everyone went around wishing you a Happy Hanukkah without any idea as to whether or not you celebrate it.
December 20th, 2005 at 8:27 am
There are multiple holidays occurring between now and the end of the year, with something for everyone: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and let’s not forget New Years. Now, I could do a breakdown of each and every one of them whenever I want to pass on the tidings of the season to another person – “Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year!” – but I have shit to do. I spend twenty minutes breaking everything down, but that shopping list isn’t getting any smaller with all that gabbin’. “Happy holidays” covers the gamut, but more importantly, keeps things moving.
December 20th, 2005 at 9:37 am
I don’t mind the “Happy Holidays” so much as there are many different faiths that celebrate at this time of year. I did disagree with the “holiday” tree idea though.
December 20th, 2005 at 5:59 pm
Even IF you want to exclude all other denominations in your greetings — there is still New Years right after christmas…
That pluralizes things. It’s not just Christmas you should be wishing peopl ea good time with – it’s both holidays….
At any rate, forget Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas. Want to confuse someone? Say Seasons Greetings…
December 23rd, 2005 at 10:10 am
[...] Sadly, none of this may last. There’s a War on Christmas out there (brought to you by proud American Christian and Eric Deegans drinking buddy Bill O’Reilly) , you know. The subject has been done to death, however, so all I’ll add to the conversation is the thought that maybe, just maybe, Christmas had it coming. [...]