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It's that time of year when people want to wish everyone a joyous holiday season. Unfortunately, there are some people, we all know at least one, who insist that everyone and anyone who says "Happy Holidays" is declaring war on Christmas. I've had people get offended by me saying Happy Holidays to them around this time of year and I really do not understand.
"But Ashley," I can hear you say, "aren't you Christian? Shouldn't you be wishing everyone a Merry Christmas?" Let me answer that with a story about one of the most memorable times of my life.
Back when my husband was in the Navy, we didn't always get to go home for the holidays. There were several holidays and special occasions when we were stuck on the opposite side of the country. During these times, we created what we called our Military Family. Those of you who have served or been with someone who served know exactly what I am talking about. For those of you who don't know, a Military Family is a group of fellow service members who become like family to you. You celebrate holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and every other event together. While my husband was stationed in Annapolis, MD, our apartment became the primary spot for everyone to come to. We had game nights, birthdays, and, what this story is about, holiday parties.
"But Ashley, you're Christian! Don't you mean you had Christmas parties?"
No, I mean holiday parties. One thing about the military is that you meet a lot of different people from different backgrounds. Some grew up in the city, some grew up in the country, some grew up religious, and some grew up secular. There are also a lot of religious backgrounds.
This year in particular, a lot of people couldn't make it home for various reasons. So my husband and I decided to have everyone over to celebrate. The only thing was, that everyone was of a different religion. We had a few different versions of Christians, a Jew, a Pagan, an Athiest, an Agnostic, and, if I remember right, a Buddist as well. We didn't want anyone to feel left out or awkward, so we came up with a plan. Everyone who was actively practicing a religion could bring stuff to celebrate that holiday and we would just mesh everything together into one Holiday Party.
We listened to Christmas carols while we ate, we listened to the Hanukkah prayers and lit a menorah at sundown, we drank wine and lit candles, we ate and drank and shared stories about our holidays and traditions and favorite memories growing up. Everyone was respectful of everyone else. No one was trying to push their views onto the rest of us. We listened and we learned about other religions. It was one of the best parties I can remember.
I can't remember the exact number, but there are something like 25 holidays of different religions between November and January. I know that not everyone I meet is Christian. So if you see me telling someone "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", instead of assuming that I'm boycotting Christmas, ask yourself if maybe that person isn't Christian or doesn't celebrate Christmas.
We all want the same things this time of year. To spend time with loved ones, to feel the peace and love of the season. Why does it matter how we express that? If someone wishes you "Happy Holidays" just say "Thank you, you too" and move on with your day. Take it for what it is supposed to mean, they want to wish you well during this holiday season. So...
Happy Holidays
Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukkah
Blessed Yule
Habari Gani
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