Comments on: Which Seasonal Greeting Do You Prefer?

By: Gary

Gary — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:50:39 +0000

The Merry Christmas boosters should take a breath. The origin of the word “holiday” is actually “holy day”, so the greeter who says “Happy Holidays” is actually wishing you happiness in your celebration fo this most holy of days.

By: Christmas Greetings in the Air | The Salvation Army in Canada

Christmas Greetings in the Air | The Salvation Army in Canada — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:41:32 +0000

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By: Doug Isbister

Doug Isbister — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 09:18:29 +0000

A few years ago, all of a sudden it seemed that Christmas was being referred to as “Happy Holidays.” How did it originate as a seemingly secular holiday & not Christmas? Personally, I noticed references from the U.S.A. Many of us thought Christmas was being replaced & becoming irrelevant within the Canadian society. It appeared to be a “politically correct” movement. And maybe it is. But being wished, “Happy Holidays!” has no meaning. Personally, I have no holidays. I venture to say that all people who are retired & many who are not working do not have any holidays. So how can the phrase have any meaningful connotations? I still do not see that 2 days off at Christmas time is any more of a holiday than a “long weekend” off. “Merry Christmas” is definite and means a lot. Christmas Day, as a religious day off from work, most likely was established so that people would be able to go to the church of their choice to worship the birth of Jesus & was not intended to be a secular holiday. Of course, people don’t have to go to church & many don’t. So, we most likely are in a transitional period involving political correctness which in itself can also be folly. Do we give up Christmas for holidays? I don’t want to do that. Christmas is still very relevant even though the holiday movement would like to do away with it. “Merry Christmas & best wishes everyone!”

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:28:49 +0000

Most of you are saying that CHRIST is the reason for Christmas, hence “Merry Christmas”. As a christian, I agree. But, we have to accept that there are other religious celebrations as well. How christian would we be if we judged others on their beliefs? Or if we didn’t accept them because of what holiday they celebrated? Although the majority of Canadians celebrate Christmas, there are others who don’t. If we wish people a “Happy Holidays”, that covers every celebration. Is it really that bad that we try to include everyone, not just single out those one celebrate Chirstmas? You know in your heart what you beleive, so do others. I hope everyone has a joyous and happy holiday season!

By: Jan S

Jan S — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:22:58 +0000

For my family, Christmas is a celebration of Christ but also a time of holiday celebrations and cheer, and, for some, the visiting of santa. I say Merry Christmas.
No one should be upset by that as it is my holiday celebration. I mean no disrespect to anyone. If someone wishes me a happy (fill in the blank) it is a respectful and welcoming salutation. I then have the option to ask them more about it or not or… to just take is as the friendly salutation that it is.

All this political correctness is masking a peaceful, welcoming gesture of kindness to another, whatever their beliefs or background.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 01:07:31 +0000

As someone who does not believe in any kind of god, I truly am ok with the term Christmas. I’m also ok with happy holidays. The name is besides the point and is just a word.
For me the point is the spirit of the season, (the human spirit, that is, not the devine one…)namely peace, kindness, compassion, community and understanding….
For roughly 4000 years or so, (and long before christianity i might add) people have come together at this time of year to celebrate and rejoice in these ideals.
I certainly won’t turn my back on this celebration of these universal values just because the modern society in which I live happens to call it Christmas, (non christian that i am, that’s what I still call it, by the way…)and by the same token, I don’t think anyone has any right to feel that Christmas somehow loses it’s identity if it’s not always mangers and angels.
The peace and goodwill part is a lot more important than the Christ part…

Merry Christmas.

By: eleanor lynn ferrier

eleanor lynn ferrier — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 20:58:09 +0000

merry christmas to respect jesus christ so god bless us all.

By: M. Lapierre

M. Lapierre — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 23:34:40 +0000

Merry Christmas with a capital “C”. The only reason that we have a holiday is because we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ for whom the season is named. MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 22:10:34 +0000

As an atheist I don’t really care whether someone says Merry Christmas, but then again I wouldn’t be offended if someone wished me a Happy Hannuka or a Merry Qwanzaa either. I’d say thank you and say right back at ya. It’s like being upset someone wishes you a good day instead of good morning.
For those of us who are in no way religious this is a time for getting together with friends and family, enjoying nice meals and nice visits. I like to think about the history and how so long ago the germanic people who sat in their homes on the longest nights of the year would hold feasts with decorated trees, holly wreaths, mistletoe strung up, and a nice yule log in the fire. Giving gifts the way the Romans did at this time of year while they celebrated Saturnalia and how we are still doing the same thing 2500 years later.

By: Marylyn

Marylyn — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:10:51 +0000

I prefer Merry Christmas, however the idea of anyone telling me that it’s not politically correct anoys me immensely. I also believe that our children of Christian parents should learn what we believe to be the real meaning of Christmas. It doesn’t hurt them to learn the beliefs of others either so that when they become adults they too can choose to make the greeting of their choice. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!