It's time to start the "Merry Christmas" vs "Happy Holidays" war!?
for the past several years I have watched Christians get very upset that some businesses display "Happy Holiday" signs and have their employees use that as a greeting to customers, rather than Merry Christmas.
Personally, I don't think "Merry" is a greeting that implies any faith or religious respect to Christmas, it is a secular greeting. Why not "holy" or "Blessed" Christmas instead? Merry Christmas sounds very santa and reindeers to me, it does not bring the image of the nativity to mind.
Do Christians feel that "Merry Christmas" sufficiently honors the significance of the holiday?
I'm wherever Jesus is welcome. When merchants began promoting "Happy Holidays" instead of the traditional "Merry Christmas", we immediately stopped shopping for Christmas and got involved in a huge and growing effort to avoid the "present" thing altogether. That began with all our family we could reach, friends, churches. The money and time saved have been diverted to ministries. Stores are begging back old business, or they might fail this year. Sorry. Their motive is only money while still trying to cash in on a holiday they are letting sweep away. The parking lots around almost all except Wal Mart are always quite empty, and the usual temporary workers are not being hired. We support businesses that are not ashamed of Jesus, and they are doing good business, but are not merchants of "stuff" for presents. Isn't it interesting that Christmas was once so popular with a "natural" event of season shopping by supposedly a majority being Christians, bringing a boon to stores, but since Jesus began being omitted, there is much failure? I think there will be a flood of closed stores and rise in unemployment soon after a very lean Christmas. Several of the major department stores are already doing clearance sales, the shelves not being restocked. Grocers are cutting back on variety, like one brand of peanut butter, saltines, canned fruit, etc. Not looking so good for those not having blessing from God.
The war is over acknowledging Christmas at all, since America now has so many different religions!!! I say wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and you've got it covered!!!
"Merry Christmas" is the commercialized greeting. "Blessed" is more appropriate, but too offensive to too many people. Sigh, it's the world we are living in. . .sad.