More than a day or why I won't be offended if you don't wish me Merry Christmas

As I begin writing this, I do want to remind you, I do celebrate Christmas as the Birth of the Savior of the World.  AND I love Christmas, I love everything about it!  I love the Spirit of Giving, I love the family togetherness, I love the traditions, I love Christmas music and I love that this year I will more than likely have 7 Nativity Scenes on display in my home.  Yes, I love Christmas!  However, I do realize that not everyone has the same view and beliefs that I have.

Please indulge me as I rant and rave for a few lines.  The last several years, more and more of my friends have become offended whenever they hear someone say "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings".  Well, let me tell you why this doesn't upset me.  We are currently in what people often refer to as "The Holiday Season".  Traditionally, to my understanding the Holidays refers to all of the Holidays observed or Celebrated between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.  Because of the growth in popularity of Halloween, in recent years I have began celebrating the Holidays starting with Halloween.  So basically, the Holidays between October 31 and January 1.  A quick glance at my calendar I found 7 different holidays in that brief 2 month period.  I am certain there are more.

During this time of year, not everyone celebrates all of these days. Some might not celebrate Christmas, others might not celebrate Chanukah, some still don't celebrate Thanksgiving and I have friends that don't celebrate ANY of the holidays.

For as long as I can remember, we have been telling each other Happy Holidays and Season's Greetings.  I am just in a state of awe at the feelings of near anger many of my friends have, when someone says Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas.  Let me say, I understand the point of view.  In this ridiculously politically correct world we live in, you feel like you are looked down upon, belittled, or even ridiculed if you identify yourself as a Christian.  I understand that, I really do.  But it seems to me that if you are being offended by someone not saying Merry Christmas, then you have missed a Sunday School lesson somewhere.

Christ himself taught us in John 12:34-35

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Here's where I am going with this train of thought.  If someone takes the time to wish you Happy Holidays, shouldn't you just be appreciative that they thought of you long enough to wish you any sentiment at all?  Tell them thanks, and wish them a Merry Christmas in return.  Or if it is an acquaintance or work associate and you don't know which (if any holiday) they celebrate, why not show them love in return and wish them Season's Greetings?  I have a customer (Not from Utah) that for the last several years has called me up and has wished me a Happy Pioneer Day.  Do you know why?  Because she is a friend and has taken the time to get to know me and know that it is a day I celebrate.  It always touches me when I receive this kind sentiment from her.  Is it a day she celebrates?  No.  Yes, she still takes her time to think of me.  We should all be more like this.  Still yet, I have another associate that doesn't celebrate holidays.  Yet, he still wishes me a Merry Christmas.  Why?  Because he has a love and respect for his fellow man.  Before I got to know him very well, I wished him a Merry Christmas.  Guess what?  He wasn't offended.  He thanked me and wished me a Merry Christmas in return.  It wasn't until after I got to know him better that I found out this about it.

All I am saying is, let's spend less time being offended at how people send us good wishes and spend more time thanking them and being friends.  If you are my friend and I know you celebrate Christmas, I will wish you a Merry Christmas.  If you don't, I will probably wish you a Season's Greetings and still yet,  if you don't celebrate any holidays, I will just extend my hand of friendship and tell you I love ya.  Hope we all can do the same.  Sorry for the ramble and the rant.  You may now carry on with more important things.