Keep Christ in Christmas

Keep Christ in Christmas. Or not. The persistent controversy over this issue has become ridiculously and unnecessarily divisive. It has produced the phrase “The war on Christmas.” I never thought “war” and “Christmas” belonged in the same sentence.

It seems some of this began with the dispute over whether we should greet each other with “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” The latter started years ago when people wanted to rope in “Happy New Year” and “Merry Christmas” into one greeting, and was often seen in greeting cards.

In recent years “Happy Holidays” has become popular, possibly because as our society has become more diverse some seek to recognize our Jewish friends are celebrating Hanukkah, there is the newer African-heritage holiday of Kwanzaa and the British holiday of Boxing Day.

But some use “Happy Holidays” as a secular jab at the Christian celebration of Christmas. In turn, I have heard what I call the “in-your-face Merry Christmas” said harshly and forcefully, without cheer. It leaves me unsure what to say.

“Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays,” say them with joy. If someone says to you the opposite of what you prefer, try replying with, “I wish the same for you.” Don’t view secularism as a threat to Christmas, nor Christmas as a threat to secularism.

Whether Christ is in Christmas is up to the beholder. Regardless, the joy should stay in the holiday season. Gary Redfern El Centro