Is it OK to say Merry Christmas to you?

I have sometimes come across this attitude of "I'm going to say Merry Xmas and they can all shove it if they don't like it", which always strikes me as not in keeping with the spirit of the season! I mean, why choose to *wish* someone if you feel so belligerent about it? :34:

On the other hand, I find it strange that this 80-year old nun my family knows often has people wishing her "Happy Holidays", rather than "Merry Christmas" which would be so much more meaningful for her.

If we keep in mind that we're supposed to be expressing our good wishes for the other person (for them to be happy/merry etc. during this season), it doesn't seem that hard to figure out what they'd want to hear, not just what we think they SHOULD want to hear.

My 2 cents. OK, you can all start yelling at me now!!!!!!! :tongue: LOL
 
I've got a honest question for all of you that goes along with this thread... ok, so our family choses not to celebrate. Now, you all have the right to, and to wish everyone else Merry Christmas or happy holidays. That being said, I am always at a loss as to how to respond without compromising my beliefs or making the well wisher feel bad. So I usually respond with "have a nice day" or something to that effect.

I am anything but a scrooge, but feel like I am put on the spot by strangers at times. I am far to friendly to ignore or look the other way! Any ideas? Does just saying hope you have a great day sound dumb?
 
MrsBrady said:
I've got a honest question for all of you that goes along with this thread... ok, so our family choses not to celebrate. Now, you all have the right to, and to wish everyone else Merry Christmas or happy holidays. That being said, I am always at a loss as to how to respond without compromising my beliefs or making the well wisher feel bad. So I usually respond with "have a nice day" or something to that effect.

I am anything but a scrooge, but feel like I am put on the spot by strangers at times. I am far to friendly to ignore or look the other way! Any ideas? Does just saying hope you have a great day sound dumb?
Click to expand...

cybermom said:
A long, long time ago, when I was very young and didn't get to make my own decisions, my family didn't celebrate Christmas. We didn't even get to say "Happy Holidays"...but we were never offended by something clearly meant as "well-wishing". We simply said "Thank You" in return. (Now that I celebrate I say both sayings, and say them often- depending on my mood and the person- :))
Click to expand...

We always just said "Thank you". In retrospect I can't see why it would be wrong to respond "Thank you, you too"...why wouldn't I want them to enjoy the holiday they're celebrating even if I don't celebrate it?
 
I think "have a nice day" is perfectly acceptable.
I realize that not everyone celebrates Christmas and don't say anything to 'strangers' unless it is greeted to me first.
 
Wish away! I'll take all the glad tidings sent my way and send them right back to you!
 
I'm simply pointing out this is the reason for the season... I didn't think it would be a debate. Sometimes we need a reminder....
This is a "Christmas thread".
It bothers me this time of year when we have to stop and wonder if we can say “Merry Christmas" to each other. It really bothers me to see businesses that want me to do my "Christmas shopping" in there establishments, but they don't want to use the word "Christmas". They have commercials playing "Christmas" tunes, they even sell nativity scenes. But they advertise "holiday trees"... we all know which holiday they are making a profit from... so just say the word.
 
snibble said:
I'm simply pointing out this is the reason for the season... I didn't think it would be a debate. Sometimes we need a reminder....
This is a "Christmas thread".
It bothers me this time of year when we have to stop and wonder if we can say “Merry Christmas" to each other. It really bothers me to see businesses that want me to do my "Christmas shopping" in there establishments, but they don't want to use the word "Christmas". They have commercials playing "Christmas" tunes, they even sell nativity scenes. But they advertise "holiday trees"... we all know which holiday they are making a profit from... so just say the word.
Click to expand...

Very well said.
 
snibble said:
But they advertise "holiday trees"... we all know which holiday they are making a profit from... so just say the word.
Click to expand...

There's more than one holiday this time of the year, and it's important to be sensitive to other holidays as well. By far, not everyone is christian, however. So, "holiday shopping" is more appropriate, IMHO
 
gr8nrg said:
There's more than one holiday this time of the year, and it's important to be sensitive to other holidays as well. By far, not everyone is christian, however. So, "holiday shopping" is more appropriate, IMHO
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this. I absolutely say "Merry Christmas" to everyone, but people should try and remember that while "Jesus is the reason for the season" may be true for some, it's not necessarily the reason other people are celebrating. IMHO
 
You know religion is hard for me to discuss with anyone, because my beliefs are so strong, I have the attitude that if someone is offended by my religion, they are offended by the majority. I also have a hard time respecting other religions, especially after 9-11. I say Merry Christmas, I say Jesus is the Reason for the Season, and that's it. If you're offended, I'll say it again, only more cheerfully the second time. I know how big my God is, and I know what kind of change Jesus has made in my life. If I keep going I'll get to preaching, so Merry Christmas, Jesus is the Reason for the Season.
 
As a Christian I feel you should respect EVERYONE - regardless of their religion. You cannot fault others based on their religion, race, nationality, etc, based on the actions of a few.

Personally, I celebrate Christmas, but I would never disrespect someone else because they don't.
 
ULTIMATEgrafx said:
You know religion is hard for me to discuss with anyone, because my beliefs are so strong, I have the attitude that if someone is offended by my religion, they are offended by the majority. I also have a hard time respecting other religions, especially after 9-11. I say Merry Christmas, I say Jesus is the Reason for the Season, and that's it. If you're offended, I'll say it again, only more cheerfully the second time. I know how big my God is, and I know what kind of change Jesus has made in my life. If I keep going I'll get to preaching, so Merry Christmas, Jesus is the Reason for the Season.
Click to expand...

Go on and preach! Jesus died for us! That is such an awesome act of love! I will glorify him in all I do. (I am not alwys successful, but I do try)
 
SeptemberBlue said:
As a Christian I feel you should respect EVERYONE - regardless of their religion. You cannot fault others based on their religion, race, nationality, etc, based on the actions of a few.

Personally, I celebrate Christmas, but I would never disrespect someone else because they don't.
Click to expand...

I would never disrespect anyone, however I do not recognize holidays celebrated in place of Christmas. Christ is the reason for CHRISTmas, other religions completely leave him out of it or show him in a context in which disagrees with what I believe. I don't fault others, I just don't recognize their religion, and as an american, that is my right. Religious beliefs are the core of most people, and it is hard to come to an agreement on what is right and what isn't. I will agree to disagree when it comes to religion, I know I would fight tooth and nail for what I believe and I am sure others feel the same so it's not easy bringing up religion in any forum.
 
I also have a hard time respecting other religions, especially after 9-11.
Click to expand...
You shouldn't blame other religions for 911. There are extremist in every religion even Christianity. Look at history. People have used Christianity to condone slavery, segregation, child abuse and even domestic violence. There are bad people in every religion.
 
LiveSquid said:
Which holidays are celebrated in place of Christmas?
Click to expand...

Okay... this is funny. I heard of some people where I grew up that wanted to celebrate something... but they claimed to worship Satan. They made up a holiday called "underwear boy day". They decorated a laundry hamper with underware and exchanged gifts.
 
Silly 'ol snibble, I dont think that something made up and celebrated by three people counts. Four people, maybe. Two friends and I made up National Crustacean Day on April 12th, 1988 but we never exchanged gifts...

I'm referring to this, wondering which ones she's talking about. Im pretty well versed in religions (I even know what the X in Xmas means) and I dont know of any that celebrate in place of Christmas.

ULTIMATEgrafx said:
I would never disrespect anyone, however I do not recognize holidays celebrated in place of Christmas.
Click to expand...
 
ULTIMATEgrafx said:
I would never disrespect anyone, however I do not recognize holidays celebrated in place of Christmas. Christ is the reason for CHRISTmas, other religions completely leave him out of it or show him in a context in which disagrees with what I believe. I don't fault others, I just don't recognize their religion, and as an american, that is my right. Religious beliefs are the core of most people, and it is hard to come to an agreement on what is right and what isn't. I will agree to disagree when it comes to religion, I know I would fight tooth and nail for what I believe and I am sure others feel the same so it's not easy bringing up religion in any forum.
Click to expand...

Other holidays are not celebrated in place of Christmas. They are celebrated based on the religion they honor. We should respect everyone's holidays, whether we celebrate them or not. You can respect and recognize something without partaking in it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top