I've been thinking a lot lately about the phrase "Happy Holidays".
It seems like there is this constant opposition from a certain type of people towards the phrase.
They want it replaced with "Merry Christmas".
I used to have the mindset of the latter. But when I really stopped to actually think about it, I've come to a different conclusion.
I am extremely grateful that we live in America-- a place where we have so many freedoms, including the freedom of religion. That means I am able to freely choose to be a follower of Christ, essentially without fear.
So the thing is, not everybody celebrates Christmas. Just like not everybody celebrates Kwanzaa, or Hanukkah, or whatever other holidays there may be.
So to put it in a little perspective, I think to myself, "What if I was leaving a store and somebody said to me 'Happy Hanukkah!'?"
I would probably stutter and at least think to myself--if not say outloud--
"Uh....I don't celebrate Hanukkah."
And so it is with Merry Christmas.
While I personally celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus, I recognize that this is not the case for everyone. I enjoy the freedom to celebrate, and everyone else living in America should enjoy that freedom as well.
So that's my take. I know some may disagree, including some of my close friends and even family members. And that's fine. After all, we're all entitled to our own beliefs and opinions. :)
an ornament on our tree, given to Chris and I from my mom, after a particularly trying time in our family. Trust in the Lord.
so true! Great reminder Amy :) P.S. The Bachelor is coming on again soon, I always think of you when I think of the Bachelor :)
ReplyDeleteWell said :). Josh said, "Go read Amy's blog. It is exactly what I have been thinking and feeling."
ReplyDeletelove it!
ReplyDeleteI have always found it interesting that Christians don't celebrate Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays- after all they are a part of the Christian faith. Well said on the "happy holidays" debate :)
ReplyDeleteWell said, this is my thought as well.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess Kevin and I both posted but it just looks like one of us did twice haha
ReplyDeleteAnyway- our Nashville pastor just put this on facebook:
Come on Christians! Stop being so offended! We sound like a bunch of whiny children. Just say Merry Christmas! So what if an employee at a business says Happy Holidays. If this is the worst thing you can find to complain about in our society then you haven't looked around at the poor, needy, hospitalized, or homeless. Maybe if we stopped opposing everything and started implementing some christian kindness and goodness everyday, we would once again be taken seriously and we would see results. There, i'll step off my soap box now...
I have to agree- Christians can be really high maintenance about really odd things :o)After all- its just a greeting/salutation!
I had a client today say "Merry F-ing Christmas" and I thought "well, at least she didn't say 'happy F-ing holidays' "...hahahahaha