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Monday, December 16, 2013

Merry Christmas vs. Merry Winter Solstice?

I'm intrigued by this flowchart I ran across on Facebook. I believe it was originally posted here, but don't hold me to that.

In this world of being politically correct, agencies are moving toward (if they haven't already made the full transition) to having "holiday parties" instead of Christmas parties. Some places are celebrating "winter solstice" instead of Christmas. It's frowned upon to sing Christmas carols and say "Merry Christmas!"

Here's the flowchart:

Click to enlarge.
I say Amen! to this chart! And besides, the last time I checked, on the actual calendars that are mass-produced by various companies world-wide, on December 25th, it says CHRISTMAS in bold letters in the box. Christmas is recognized as a paid holiday by organizations, even at the county, state, and federal levels.

Religion aside, wishing someone a "Merry Christmas" could basically mean the same as saying "Merry December 25th" (which most people have off from work to be frickin' merry!). So it's even rational.

Me? I buck the political correctness for religious reasons. Here's the door to my office:


And the banner in my home:

I just don't want anyone to question my preference for winter holiday greetings, but I always smile and acknoledge the gracious intent behind anyone's well-wishing. Just wish everyone could do the same.

Sorry for the rant, but I realized this is a pet peeve of mind after I sat through a meeting where someone suggested the wording in a newsletter be changed that referred to the literal 25th day of December as Christmas. Aggravation.

Let's Analyze

What's your preference for "holiday greetings?" What do you do if someone calls you out on your chosen greeting?

Posted by Jeannie Campbell, LMFT at 6:00 AM

Comments (4)

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Sophia's avatar

Sophia · 588 weeks ago

If every holiday greeting should be treated equally, what's wrong with shifting a company's official language to be as inclusive as possible? Why is that seen as something problematic? What is wrong with a company gong out of its way to make sure most all customers feel acknowledged?

If I had walked by your office door, I would have read "Merry Christmas" as a typical holiday greeting and not given it a second thought. If I were to walk by after seeing this blog post, I would read it as, "Merry CHRISTMAS, whether you like it or not, heathen."

Because even though you say that every holiday greeting should be taken in the spirit its meant, you have gone out of your way to turn the "Merry Christmas" on your door into a statement AGAINST intentionally inclusive language. Anyway, it's going to be impossible now for me to see any "Merry Christmas" comment from you on your blog now without viewing it as political statement instead of a heartfelt wish that I enjoy the holiday season.

FYI, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc. are meant for OTHER people. Saying "Merry Christmas" to someone shouldn't be about your own personal statement of religious belief. It should be about the person you are engaging with. If I knew a Jewish person who didn't like "Merry Christmas" because it made them feel uncomfortable, I wouldn't stick my nose up in the air and say they should just deal with it. I would say "Happy Hanukkah" or "Happy Holidays" because they are a person and their comfort is more important to me than making some kind of statement about the value of my own beliefs in comparison to their own.

When you say "Merry Christmas", is it about other people, or is it about you?
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jeanniecampbell 76p · 588 weeks ago

sophia - I'd never knowingly say anything offensive to anyone. if i knew jewish folk, i'd tell them happy hanukkah, promise. besides the meeting, which i mentioned as impetus for writing this post, i had wished someone a Merry Christmas quite by rote (i.e., i wasn't intentionally trying to rub Christ in their face like i might have been doing on this personal blog post...it was definitely about them, not me) and, well, let's just say they got rude. this set me off (not in front of them) and got me started on this topic in the first place. it was well meant from my side...not a commentary on their faith or lack of faith, etc. i get a secret thrill from having that on my door. since i can't openly proselytize, that banner is like a secret door that they either open (and we discuss faith) or walk right by and consider it a normal holiday greeting, as you said you would before reading this post. i'm sorry if i have offended you, though, with these personal thoughts of mine (brought on my being verbally assaulted, so take them with a grain of salt). that said, i'll wish you a happy holidays, b/c if i were to wish you anything else, i believe you'd take offense, and that's never my end goal. thanks for stopping by....you're always welcome to disagree with me!
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Debby Hanoka's avatar

Debby Hanoka · 588 weeks ago

Hi Jeannie. I am Reform Jewish and I think the photo of the decorations on your office door are cute, colorful, and appropriate. I've done something similar in my workplace with a Chanukah Menorah, though there's always a silly argument argument -- with much laughter and good-natured ribbing -- over how to spell the holiday's name.

Anyway, I'm with you on the political correctness thing. I think it does more to STIFLE the understanding of other cultures and such by restricting the way people can talk about them. It is suddenly "taboo" to come out and ask what could be a difficult question -- that if honestly answered could lead to greater understanding for all involved..

I like to think that I am considerate of other people's religious views and cultures, but it is second nature for me to wish someone Merry Christmas or Happy Chanukah, or some other holiday if that is indicated to me. If someone corrects me with "Happy Holidays," I do as your flowchart suggests and simply say "Thank You." It's the good manners my parents taught me coming through.

Thank you for bringing this prickly issue out into the open where it belongs. That way we can talk it through and hopefully come to a better understand of and respect for each other without self-censorship.

Merry Christmas,
Debby Hanoka
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Clar's avatar

Clar · 588 weeks ago

Living in the Pacific Northwest (P.C. central) I find myself saying "Happy Holidays" over "Merry Christmas". I have also been working in a non-profit that volunteers at alternative high school so they gave us a primer on "how to celebrate sensitively" (actually kind of helpful). I err on the side of caution then boldness but most of the teens (including the atheist/agnostic ones) all celebrate Christmas.

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