Merry Christmas! There I said it. I have been “Happy Holidaying” all month, but it’s Christmas Eve so I thought I would let one fly. I don’t understand how or when wishing someone a Merry Christmas became so sensitive. I just don’t get it. Holiday concerts, holiday cookies, holiday shopping and now even the holiday tree? This week my friend, whose children attend elementary and middle schools in Zionsville, shared how she had to remove the words “holiday” and “santa” from the school’s cookie exchange invitation because both were too closely related to Christmas. Are you kidding? Why in the world bother with a cookie exchange during the busiest time of year if it has nothing to do with the season? Why not have a winter cookie exchange in January? By the way, “winter” was an acceptable word for the invitation.
Recently, I had a similar conversation with my Jewish neighbor. He’s not offended at all when someone wishes him a Merry Christmas. In fact, he joked about appreciating all the after-Christmas sales.
“This year, Hanukkah came too early,” Mark said. For years, we have been sharing our holiday traditions. He puts up my Christmas lights and we are invited to his family’s Hanukkah feast. In October, the planning begins.
“So, when are we putting up the Christmas lights?” he said. It usually doesn’t happen until Thanksgiving when it’s cold, and this year the Christmas lights didn’t make it up at all because my Jewish neighbor was out of town. How’s that for a holiday twist? We have a wonderful relationship where we share each other’s celebrations and respect our differences. Isn’t that the way it should be?
So, if you celebrate Christmas, have a Merry, Merry Christmas. If you don’t, enjoy a day off from work with your family.
And, my wandering continues…