We’re about a week away from the “Holidays” and I know everybody with a blog has been writing their thoughts on the topic. Thought I’d jump in and tell you how I’m feeling this time of year.
There are some people who have been getting offended by the term “Happy Holidays” being said instead of “Merry Christmas”. Here’s a news flash: December has “Holidays”. It doesn’t just have Christmas. Believe it or not, there is also Chanukah, Kwanza, and the Winter Solstice. When people say “Happy Holidays” they are saying it to include everyone. They are NOT dissing the fact that it is Christmas. If you honestly believe that Christmas is the ONLY holiday in December, then please unfollow me. Now.
That said, I have no problem whatsoever when people tell me “Merry Christmas”. I realize that most of the population of this country have no idea that some people really do celebrate Chanukah… or Kwanza… or the Winter Solstice. I realize that the majority of people in my country are Christian. I get it. If someone wants me to have a Merry anything, I will damn well have a Merry everything!
That big tree up in front of the White House… it’s called a Christmas Tree. It is NOT a Holiday Tree. There is no such thing as a “Holiday” Tree because only Christians put up a tree. Jews don’t. Of course, there are those few Jews that will put up a tree and call it a holiday tree… but those people are the same ones who will lie about it later and tell people, “No, I never put up a tree.” Go ahead… put up a tree if you must, but please don’t call it a Holiday Tree. It’s a friggin’ CHRISTMAS TREE.
Don’t feel sorry for my children because they celebrate Chanukah. Believe me, my kids would much prefer 8 days of celebrating and presents than just one day of all the crazy aunts and uncles and cousins coming over to the house to eat a big ham dinner. My kids know that Santa doesn’t exist. Don’t worry… they won’t tell your kids. It’s part of the unspoken Jewish kid law - don’t tell your Christian friends that their parents lie to them. Believe me, I do enough lying to my own kids. The Tooth Fairy is a personal friend of mine.
You know that whole things about Jesus is the reason for the season? Not sure why y’all are fighting about that. Just because December 25 wasn’t really his birth, the fact remains that Christmas celebrates Christ. End of story. I know some of you aren’t religious and just like to get all caught up in the spirit of the holiday. Please, let’s not forget that without Jesus, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.
And one last thing… that Elf on a Shelf thing? Too damn cute. I think someone needs to come up with something like that for us Jews. Hey, I will buy into anything that will possibly keep my kids on the straight and narrow.
I like Happy Holidays, but, like you, I am not offended when someone wishes me well, in whatever flavor. I don’t “believe in Jesus,” but every baby is a miracle, and I’m happy enough to celebrate the season with those who love their nativity stories. (Mind you, anybody who truly believes a loving mommy would put her brand new precious baby into AN ANIMAL’S FEED TROUGH… really?)
The Christmas/holiday tree is an old pagan tradition, however, that, like a lot of other pagan traditions, was co-opted by other faiths. It’s okay. There’s enough love and fun to go around for everyone.
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I’ve gotten so use to saying Happy Holidays that when I hear Merry Christmas it just sounds weird to me 😉 lol
I like the idea of the Elf on the Shelf, now you’ve got me with my thinking cap, what is something similar we could create? =)
BTW: I have to say I am pretty impressed with the Chanukah decorations and displays I have seen around town in California. Back where I’m from, Minnesota, we were lucky if there was a display at all.
May you embrace the season and have a Happy Chanukah!
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I personally LIKE happy holidays..because I feel like it takes away the element of worry of offending someone to me. I feel it’s more inclusive because you never know what religion someone is or what they celebrate and I would hate someone feeling bad or not included because of something I’ve said. I’m always worried about offending someone this time of year..because that is really not my intent..and while my family does celebrate Christmas and I do have some family members who consider themselves to be religious..my immediate family never has been..but it was just what everyone did around here.
I live in a very small WASP-ish community, and the larger community that’s closest to us is still VERY wasp-ish - there was very little diversity growing up, and even to this day…the lack of diversity shocks me on a regular basis because I grew up with very liberal parents who continually went out of their way to teach us about different cultures and different religions all over the world… I think they did this in part because they never felt a part or felt connected with the majority of people around here and wanted to make sure we didn’t grow up with a closed minded view of the world…
I have so many issues with religion in general that I haven’t found one that fits for me yet..so I use the holidays to celebrate my family and all of the things I am thankful for and to cherish the time together. Meanwhile, I will continue to wish people a merry/happy/wonderful whatever-they-may-be-celebrating and hope that I don’t step on too many toes 🙂
Thanks for writing this post..I know it took a lot of courage but a couple of things really clicked in my head when I read it and it helped to expand my knowledge and love of other people, religions and cultures. I didn’t find it offensive at all, just another POV from another great person navigating through life! 🙂
PS - Happy Chanukah!
PPS - You TOTALLY forgot Festivus 😉 Haha!
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Thanks Erin. It would nice if everyone could just be a little more tolerant and accepting of other people. Like I said, I don’t mind “Merry Christmas” and I don’t mind all the Christmas songs and decorations… it would just be nice if people would not assume it’s the ONLY holiday or religion around.
I think everyone should just feel free to say “Happy” whatever and not worry about offending anyone. If I say Merry Christmas and you are Jewish, it doesn’t mean I want you to join my faith or that you should only receive my wish if you are Christian. It just means I am happy and I want you to be happy too during this very special time of the year. If you say Happy Chanukah to me I will most likely say it back and I will mean it from the bottom of my heart. I want everyone to be able to enjoy this time of year as much as they can. Considering many people find this holiday season to be a tough time for any number of reasons, my wish for joy and happiness is the same for all - no matter what religion you are.
I agree. It’s frustrating that people just can’t appreciate the fact that someone is wishing them a joyous holiday.