Yes, Virginia, You Should Say Happy Holidays

So, it's the end of December and all month, all around the country/world, people have been preparing for __________ (insert celebration here). If you're like the majority of Americans, you have inserted Christmas in the blank. There are countless views regarding this particular holiday. For some, it's merely a holiday associated with gift giving and consumerism. For others, it is a time of deeper religious meaning; that religion being, of course, Christianity. And, for the rest, it is somewhere in between.

Now, because we live in a digitally social world, I am, like many others, on Facebook nearly everyday. I have a large group of 'friends'; hundreds actually. So, when one has hundreds of friends that are updating their statuses on a daily/weekly/monthly basis, one also is witness to the beautiful cross section of personalities, lifestyles and beliefs that are represented among those hundreds. As a side note, when I say beautiful, I do mean beautiful. Cultural diversity really is a lovely thing. It's no surprise, though, that the strongest opinions ever expressed come in the forms of political and religious beliefs.

And, that brings me to the point of the blog. Well, maybe not the point but the subject at least. Lately I've seen a lot of status updates that read something akin to "It's Merry Christmas NOT Happy Holidays." Having spent years living and existing as part of the (Christian) religious right, I understand the sentiment. I don't begrudge anyone saying it. It's a free country after all. And, if you are reading this and you are one of those friends that posted a similar status update, let me preface the rest of this blog with this - I do respect your beliefs. I do respect what Christmas symbolizes to practicing Christians. I do not wish to offend anyone. I only want to express my own thoughts and ask that you listen with an open mind.

With that said, let's begin!

When I first saw this type of status update, I took it for what it was, an expression of religious belief. The second time, I thought about the actual message the post-ers were trying to convey. The third time I pondered the impression it gave to the universe at large. And, by the fourth plus time, it honestly irked me a bit.

The US is a predominantly Christian nation. Nonetheless, it remains one of the most religiously diverse nations on the planet. Even before the pilgrims came, there was religious diversity. And, with their coming, the end to a search for a place to practice their religious beliefs freely, came even further diversity. So, duh, over multiple years of immigration, the US has become home to a myriad of religious beliefs. And, each person that represents a different belief, got here, either on their own or by way of a far off relative, because freedom of some kind was being sought. You would think, then, that we would be a nation of tolerance. A nation of understanding. A nation that understood that being able to practice a religion, a lifestyle, an occupation, etc. of one's choosing was a privilege and that, if one wants that privilege to be respected, one must respect it in others as well. Somehow, as a nation, we've forgotten that, though.

That's what irked me. Because the impression that those status updates began to give me, whether intended or not, is this... My religious beliefs are the only true beliefs and thus are superior to yours, and, therefore, you and yours do not deserve my respect (btw, I haven't met a 'religious' person yet who doesn't believe that first part regardless of what their religious beliefs are). Now, if you call yourself a Christian, does that sound very Christ-like? Does this fall in line with the teachings of a man who we are told accepted and loved the unacceptable and unloveable? Yes, we are told that Christ spoke his beliefs plainly, but He didn't do so in a way that alienated people from Him. If I'm to believe what I was taught to me in the church, He met people where they were at; didn't condem them and then expect them to eagerly accept an invitation to follow Him.

So, now we're at the point of my blog, which is, if you're concerned about whether the school your child goes to holds a winter celebration or a Christmas pageant, then you should send your child to a school that fits your beliefs. If you balk at the idea of not having a Nativity scene in the town square, you might want to think about moving to a religious compound. You get the idea. We are a nation, a state, a city, a neighborhood of many beliefs. Some celebrate Christmas. Some celebrate Kwanzaa. Some will light a menorrah. Some will have a family feast, decorate ornaments, hang mistletoe, put lights on the house, hang a wreath and light a yule log. Think I'm talking about Christmas with that last observation? I'm not. Those are traditional ways to celebrate winter solstice. You know, the holiday that Pagans and Wiccans celebrate. Have you feeling a little conflicted about your own decor now?

Whatever you do, though, consider this... Consider saying Happy Holidays now and then. Consider really meaning it. Consider that, when doing so, you are showing a deep respect for those around you that may subscribe to a different set of beliefs. Consider that, when asking WWJD?, the answer just might be to ask you to consider saying it, too.