Yes, I Say “Merry Christmas”!

Could someone please tell me who it was that first decided that the words “Merry Christmas” might be disparaging or threatening or in bad taste?  I’d like to have a quick chat with him or her.  Here’s what I’d  say:

Merry Christmas, sir!  Merry Christmas, ma’am!  Merry, merry, merry Christmas!

Let me give you some background.  I was raised in one of those ‘other’ religions or denominations that someone thought might be offended by hearing the words “Merry Christmas”.  I don’t celebrate Christmas.  But I say it.  And I say it with respect.

Merry Christmas!

Somehow, this badly misconceived conception that I might be offended by hearing the words has taken a major foothold in our society.  Sad.  And very, very wrong.

The reality of the situation is that every religion and every holy book from the Bible to the Koran to the Torah speaks of tolerance and inclusion and community.  One of the pillars of ‘community’ is that we celebrate with each other during the wonderful times and support each other during the tough times.  Read that again, please. We celebrate each other’s wonderful times and support each other during the tough times.  Read it a third time if it hasn’t sunk in yet.

Merry Christmas!

When I say those words, I’m not indicating to you that we’re in some sort of secret society and (wink wink, nudge, nudge) anyone that doesn’t celebrate Christmas isn’t part of the community.  When I say “Merry Christmas” I’m telling you that I recognize that this is an important celebration for Christians around the world and I am expressing the wishes that your celebration is happy and wonderful.  Much like when I say “Happy Birthday” to you, I’m not telling you that it’s my birthday, too.  What I’m saying is that I know that you are celebrating a special occasion and I’m really hoping you have a wonderful and special day.

The same thing is absolutely true when I say ‘Eid Mubarak’ to my Muslim friends, students and colleagues.  I don’t observe Ramadan.  But I know that it is a vitally important part of who they are and what they believe.  Not to acknowledge that yearly milestone would be a slap in their faces.  And yes, I say ‘Hag Sameach’ to my Jewish friends, colleagues and students as they celebrate Chanukka.  That’s how we build strong communities.  Strong communities thrive on inclusion and respect.  They crumble with intolerance.

Not to say “Merry Christmas” to those who celebrate this wonderful time of the year is simply indicating that I have no respect for your history, culture, religion or community.  And if I can’t respect your history, culture or religion how can I ever expect you to understand or respect mine?

So Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, may the true meaning of Christmas shine as a beacon of understanding and community everywhere.

And here’s “Merry Christmas” in just some of the languages spoken in our circle of friends, colleagues, students and business partners:

Joyeux Noel (French).  Gozhqq Keshmish (Apache).  Čestita Koleda (Bulgarian).  聖誕節快樂 (Hakka Chinese).  Bon Natale e pace e salute (Corsican).  Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo (Italian).  Chag Molad Sameach v’Shanah Tovah (Hebrew).  Selamat hari natal dan tahun baru (Indonesian).  즐거운 성탄절 보내시고 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (Korean).  Natale hilare et annum faustum (Latin).  God jol og godt nyttår (Norwegian).  Veselé vianoce a Štastný nový rok (Slovak).  Ia orana no te noere (Tahitian).  Ngikufisela uKhisimusi oMuhle noNyaka oMusha oNempumelelo (Zulu).  Frohe/Fröhliche Weihnachten (German).