Shut Up and Be Merry

This topic humors me. The fact that people have to always find something to complain about even during a time where all should be well and joyful, really says something about our society. Personally working in retail, I can say that for about a week and a half now after I give the customer his or her reciept and they are about to leave, I have changed my closing greeting from, "have a nice day" to "have a nice holiday." Why do I say this? Because I truely hope that this person does have a pleasant and happy holiday. Whether that holiday is Christmas, Hannukka, Kwanza, or a combination. People who boycott and protest against what is the proper greeting is just childish. Columnist Charles Krauthammer explained it well when he talked of how America is the place where we are supposed to have an open heart and mind to the faiths and beliefs of everyone. There is nothing wrong with wishing someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. They are both correct. My personal favorite saying would have to be Season's Greetings. I think that says it well without feeling like you are neglecting any one specific holiday or religion. The fact of the matter is that all of these holidays happen to be celebrated around about the same time. Just yesterday at work I had a customer ask me if I celebrated Christmas and I responded that I indeed do. She then proceeded to tell me to have a Merry Christmas and I wished the same for her. As nice and poliet as that was, I can't help but think that it was a bit stupid that she felt the need to gently check and make sure I celebrated the holiday before she wished me a happy one.

No matter what you celebrate, it is a season that is going to be observed everywhere around you. People are just wishing you the best during this time. Why are we complaining about the overflow of generosity and warmth from people going out of their way to be kind? This is one of the aspects of the season that make it so extraordinary. The time of year where all people come together in spirt to me merry and wish that for their friends, neighbors, and strangers.
The article "Is Merry Christmas Wrong?" basically defines how the holidays each year are turning more and more into retail frenzie of bullcrap and less and less of the true meaning for Christmas and the rest of the holidays. I say we all should just put our swords away and enjoy the time of the happy season to eat, drink, and be merry and not fight about who we are offending. Let's just be happy that for about a month or so we all actually go out of our way to wish one another a joyous, safe, and wonderful Chrismahanukwanza. There how is that for ya? I think Mike Straka hit the nail on the head and said it best, "We need to lighten up a bit and have some holiday cheer!"