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The holidays are upon us, and as has happened in several previous years, there are many objecting to any seasons greetings that do not specifically include the word "Christmas." The perception is that any tendency towards other expressions is a conspiratorial effort to eradicate Christ from Christmas.
Let me start out by stating unequivocally that I am a Christian, and more than just thinking of myself as one because I was born in America, or that I'm not something else, so I must be Christian, or whatever. I am a Christian because I have made the specific, conscious choice to be one. With that out of the way, let me continue by stating that, being afraid that saying "Happy Holidays" is a concerted attack on Christianity is comparable to being afraid the towels on the Titanic weren't going to be fluffy enough.
Let's face it, folks. We have a culture that is moving more and more towards preemptive rudeness. We have a culture where, instead of expressing some kind of apologetic gesture if we cut off someone in traffic, we fly the middle finger if they dare to express any displeasure at our stupidity. We find it more difficult every year to find a birthday card that isn't insulting. Our culture has reached the point where we automatically assume that others are out to offend us. But, is that truly a correct assumption?
Perhaps a century ago, those identifying themselves as Christians were the overwhelming majority here in the United States. It would have been a relatively safe bet that most people you might meet would be fine with a cheery, "Merry Christmas." Quite often, in those days, observant Jewish families would tend towards their own neighborhoods, where the customs and holidays of the culture would be shared amongst those of like mind. The Chanukah Menorah would be prominent instead of the Christmas tree, and the celebrations the traditional ones associated with the feast.
Today, however, our country has become far more diverse. It's not a reasonable presumption any longer that most of the people we meet will be of even a Christian persuasion, let alone adhering to a Christian lifestyle. They might be Jewish, or Islamic, or Buddhist, or Atheist, or Pagan, or a member of any number of other sects that do not celebrate Christian holidays. In most cases, there won't be much external to cue us into what beliefs or philosophies any individual might hold.
This puts many in a quandary, particularly in the work place. Those dealing with the public are expected to treat people with courtesy and respect. When we refer back to the idea that many in our culture set out to annoy and offend people, it gets worse. What do you say to someone, if there is a strong chance they will be offended by the wrong thing, and assume you meant to offend them?
When someone says, "Happy Holidays," it's a generic wish that covers multiple traditions. It can apply to Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, the Solstice, a Festivus for the Rest of us (for those old Seinfeld fans), or whatever. For the atheist, it even works for those who think of Christmas as nothing more than a convenient paid day off (for those who get paid holidays). Like, "Season's Greetings," it offers the best chance to say something without risking offense.
Except, of course, for those who see such phrases as offensive in that they don't include the word Christmas. What I find truly ironic is, for those who seek to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, that we don't extend any measure of grace to people for something as simple as a greeting. We talk about turning the other cheek when it comes to overt persecution, but we'll go on a full-up defensive because we think someone used the wrong greeting.
What would happen if we, instead, assumed the best intentions of people? What if we took whichever greeting, and assumed that it was given with sincere wishes? What if we gave people the benefit of the doubt, that we would like for them to give us? What kind of culture might we foster, if we did that?
This can even apply when we think someone should know what greeting to give us. We might think that wearing a t-shirt with "JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON" in big letters would be a definite cue, but do we really know what kind of day the cashier at the store has already endured? They might have been there for hours by the time we get there, and have just enough attention left to see the items we're purchasing. They might not feel they can take the time to notice and read every t-shirt that goes by their registers.
Even under the best circumstances, people often do not notice details about others. A year or so ago, I shaved off my beard before a dermatologist appointment (allows him to make sure I don't have any skin cancer hiding under the whiskers). I kid you not - one coworker, who saw me every day, did not notice for two weeks. Now, seriously, if a coworker who sees me five days a week, doesn't notice that my thick beard is gone for two weeks, why should I think a cashier, who sees me for maybe five minutes, is going to pay much attention to my shirt, or a button, or any other little detail that I think should scream, "I'M A CHRISTIAN"?
Maybe we can feel justified in a bit of hard feelings if we know for certain that someone is purposely using the wrong greeting. If I saw a Chassidic Jew walking down the street, on his way to the Shul, and instead of wishing him "Shabbat shalom," or, "Hag sameach Chanukah," I wished him, "Merry Christmas," I would be in the wrong. I can't claim ignorance, and I know what the correct greetings should be. If I purposely use inappropriate ones, I'm being offensive.
But in the majority of cases, I believe people are using these greetings with sincerity and good intentions. I don't know about all of you, but honestly, I'd rather hear a sincere, "Happy Holidays," than a half-hearted "Merry Christmas" that was said because I'd raised such a stink that they felt they had to say it to me. I find my Christmas is merrier, if I smile and return a pleasant greeting, instead of feeling I need to correct everyone else's greetings.
And that, my friends, seems to me the best way to keep Christ in my Christmas.
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