Why is ‘Merry Christmas’ greeting offensive?

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Updated: January 16, 2012 10:23AM

I honestly don’t understand how it was determined that, in concern that someone might be offended by the greeting “Merry Christmas,” employees of many businesses were told to say “Happy Holidays,” or something similar.

In some stores there is not even any indication of anything pertaining to the real reason for Christmas. Why? What is there to be offended by the greeting, “Merry Christmas”?

And what, in fact, has been the reason for this holiday for centuries? It is to celebrate a birthday — the birthday of Christ.

It matters not whether someone chooses to believe in Jesus as God’s son — it is still his birthday that is celebrated. Otherwise, why is there Christmas?

It makes no more sense to ignore that fact, than it would be if, suddenly, everyone in our lives were told not to celebrate our birthday, and no one even acknowledged it. I know I would be sad.

Perhaps it is time for us to stop letting a tiny minority dictate how we, as a nation, celebrate Christ’s birthday. When we watched “Charlie Brown’s Christmas” on television, it was wonderful to see that they were committed to showing the lovely story just as it was written by Charles Schulz. Maybe the greatest gift we can give each other is to be a little less rigid, and a lot more flexible in respecting one another.

If I say “Merry Christmas” to you, and you answer, “Happy Holidays,” we can both walk away with a smile.

After reading Carroll Vertrees’ column on Sunday, I was enlightened in understanding a little bit better why we read and hear so much of the “bad” news.

He said it is because the majority of people are good, and that’s not newsworthy. Thus the “bad” get all the press, and the more than 90 percent just keep on doing the right thing and following the rules.

It sure would be an “upper” if, just one day, there would be nothing but good news reported. News such as two young people — Brittany Emerson and Rob McBride — who involve themselves weekly in the lives of special needs youngsters, helping them grow in many ways.

Their volunteering probably gives them joy, but it can’t compare to how happy the guys and girls are to see them every week.

Or, how about eighth-grader Andre Taylor, who thought about the children whose mothers were residents of the battered women with children shelter. What were those kids going to find under the tree on Christmas morning?

So Taylor decided to make sure there were gifts for these children too, and has begun a toy drive. He said it makes him feel good to be giving back, but can you imagine what a wonderful feeling it will be for the ones who receive his caring?

If you would like to help him reach his goal, please call 885-8363.

Or, there are all the students at almost every school who are doing various projects to help raise funds to fill the basic needs of families, and make sure no child wakes up on Christmas morning without a reason for joy.

Somehow this holiday called Christmas brings out an extra-special caring and extra-special gifts of love.

I admittedly am not too knowledgeable about the workings of government and politics, but it is so very disheartening when those who want to lead our country do nothing but belittle each other.

I would vote for anyone in any party if I heard someone talk about their pride in serving our country (as military personnel do), and the ways in which they would bring peace to the world, security to all our unemployed and homeless, education for every child as a priority, and once again have this truly be a united nation.

It would be nice if their background was free of unnecessary “trash.”

I’d also like the truth about how $320 million could get “lost” in our state coffers when there have been so many cuts to so many necessities. Maybe these are “pipe dreams,” but I’m not going to give them up. And maybe a lot of us should be hoping and praying for some changes.

Meanwhile, I hope you have a great day because you deserve it. Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.