Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

Whether or not this is a big debate is up to you. But during this holiday season, American parents often have to wonder about this question: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Like many other controversial issues in our modern times, parents can be thoughtful in how to respond.

My Christian friends who have been following the news feel that their Christian faith has been under attack for quite some time. It feels like a marginalization of our religion and religious practices. As an avid reader of news, editorials, and commentaries, I’ve come across many comments along the lines of “if it was a Muslim or Atheist, then they get a free pass, but Christians in America are constantly persecuted for our faith” and also “if we are too politically correct, then we lose all common sense.” 

The flip side of this debate includes comments like “we can’t be exclusive because everyone is different and not everyone celebrates alike” and “Christians don’t have a monopoly on how Americans celebrate this holiday season since we are a nation of immigrants and our diversity is what makes us great.”

Where do you land on this question? Does Christmas mean the birth of Christ to you? Does it mean spending time giving thanks to God for all our blessings? Does it mean hot cocoa, Carol of the Drums, twinkling lights, Christmas tree and presents? 

Or do you prefer to celebrate Happy Holidays to wish everyone joy, love, and peace, even if you don’t believe that Jesus is the savior of the world? In fact, you believe there are more ways to moral living and achieving happiness than just one way. And you want others to know that you like the lights, the smell, the spirit of giving even if you celebrate it non-religiously.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays with love from the Parkers!  

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