It happens every year without fail. Christians start coming out of the woodwork hollering about the evils of the tiding Happy holidays! “It’s Merry Christmas or nothing!” they screech. So how do we win the war against Happy Holidays? Or should we?
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Saying Merry Christmas versus Happy holidays is a sensitivity for a lot of Christians. Some people even get downright mad. So if that’s you, you’re probably about to get upset with me. Just a fair warning.
For me personally, the whole Christmas/holiday greeting issue lies in the fact that there even is an issue at all.
To be completely transparent, it disgusts me.
Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals
I had to use this line from the movie Home Alone. It’s a classic and it just popped right out of my head and through the keyboard onto this page.
It’s kinda funny, but not really. Because that’s essentially what we’re saying to people whose only intent is to spread some joy and smiles during the holiday season.
And yes, I just said “holiday” season. Because that’s what it is. It’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, New Year’s, and anything else this time of year all rolled into one friendly greeting.
When someone wishes us happy holidays, and our only thought is to bark back at them with a corrective “Merry Christmas,” that’s basically what they’re hearing: Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal!
But here’s the wonderful thing I’ve learned over the years. It’s brilliant. When someone takes the time to tell us “Happy Holidays,” here’s what they’re really up to. And this is crazy-town, so get ready:
They’re. just. being. nice. They’re being friendly and nice!
So if we’re finding something wrong with that, we seriously need to stop and check our hearts.
When we snootily correct someone in the checkout line who wishes us happy holidays, it’s not the love of Jesus they see. It’s the fallen, sinful attitude of the offended flesh. Ouch!
I’m gonna say that again because it’s worth taking a second look at.
If we’re putting on airs and acting high and mighty about our Christmas greeting to others—and theirs to us—we’re acting in opposition to Jesus.
I used to think that being all gung-ho with the Merry Christmases was some type of witness. And boy, let me tell, is it ever. But not in a good way.
It’s like this. You’re at a restaurant and the bill comes. You have the chance to leave your server a tip, but it’s more important to share the love of Jesus with them, so you plop down a dollar or two and leave a gospel tract.
Let’s say I’m the server. And I don’t know Jesus. Maybe I’ve heard of Him, and I know that Christianity is a religion that’s supposed to be about doing good and all that.
But I come upon this little pamphlet about this Jesus guy, which might be kind of interesting, but next to it lays 2 measly, insulting dollar bills.
“Forget that. Forget Him.” That’s my thought as a lost person.
It’s such a great example we’re sharing, ain’t it?
L-O-V-E. Where’s the love of Christ in that action? ABSENT.
The attitude of Jesus is lost in a poorly-motivated action done in His name.
Yikes!
Does that hurt your heart? And your pride?
It should!
It sure does mine.
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The war against “Happy holidays”
You know what else really gets me about this whole “Happy holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas” thing? The fact that those who wage such a war about it are ignoring the fact that Christmas is a holiday.
“Holiday” literally means holy day. So if we’re caught up with technicalities, this one’s pretty much the winner.
Of course, the word holiday in our current culture usually refers to days of celebration, recognition of events that have shaped our history, festivities, and time spent with loved ones.
So how is saying “Happy holidays” such an insult?
Short answer? It’s not. And it definitely shouldn’t be taken that way.
I mean, think about it. When someone greets us with “Happy holidays,” it’s a pretty safe bet that they’re saying it with a kind intention, or they wouldn’t even say it at all.
When someone takes a moment to wish us happy holidays, we should be glad they took a second out of their life to think and speak kindly toward us.
Unbelievers who say “Happy holidays”
Chances are the people who choose to say “Happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” fall into 1 of 2 categories: they’re either lost, or they don’t want to offend anyone.
So let’s say it’s the first scenario. How wrong is it of us to expect lost people to act like they’re saved? (It’s wrong.)
We take offense because we think we’re standing up for the cause of Christ. But are we?
If you’re caught up in waging a war against “Happy holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas,” you’re wasting your time.
If you truly want to make a difference for Christ, go about doing good and living out His truth in love.
First of all, lip service is pretty cheap, even when done in the right spirit.
But what have you done to show others how much God loves them? Because correcting someone’s sincere holiday greeting isn’t it.
Believers who say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”
Okay, you’re a Christian. Someone says “Happy holidays” to you, and you respond in kind. Is that wrong? No. (Cue ruffled feathers.)
It’s not wrong. You’re returning a kindness. Good for you. Think of the alternative. How snooty would it be to just say “Thank you”—or worse yet, say nothing—and walk off? You said “Happy holidays” back, you engaged with someone, so good on you!
Could you have chosen a better reply? Totally.
Just speak it out, sister! (or brother!)
Say “Merry Christmas!” in reply. Chances are the well-wisher just said “Happy holidays” because they didn’t want to offend anyone.
(And P.S., if your reply is offensive to them, that’s their problem. All you’ve done is return a sincere seasonal pleasantry.)
But. What if you speak first, and as a Christian, your greeting of choice is “Happy holidays.” Is that wrong?
Kinda.
Here’s the thing: we don’t need to be ashamed of Jesus’ name. Don’t be afraid to offend someone at Jesus’ expense. Speaking the truth in love will offend people. And worse.
But the tiding of “Merry Christmas” is a very minor and simple way to involve Christ in a brief exchange with a stranger.
If you’re not good at bringing Jesus up in conversations with strangers or acquaintances, this is the perfect place to start. It’s simple and it’s usually extremely brief!
So get your feet wet by speaking up with a proper greeting this Christmas season!
Your “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy holidays” war is a witness
Look. Here’s what all this “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy holidays” business boils down to. And I’m gonna be blunt:
We need to get off our high horse.
We need to love people like Jesus did. Stand for truth, but do it in love.
Don’t let your war against “Happy holidays” be all that a lost person sees of Jesus.
Because that behavior is a serious, detrimental witness to the name of Jesus, and we’ll have to answer to Him for that one day.
It’s not about what people do with “Merry Christmas,” it’s about what we do with the Person of Jesus Christ.
Sure you’re a Christian, you realized you were a sinner in need of saving, and you’ve trusted in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and received life eternal.
But have you made Him the Lord of your life, have you surrendered control of your life to Him? Are you listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and following it?
How’s your witness, brother, sister?
Merry Christmas, my friend, and happy holidays!
Free Christmas Gift Tags
Forget to grab some gift tags, or just want to get a jump on your Christmas gift preparations? I’ve got the solution! Get the password for the library with the free Christmas Gift Tags here by filling out this form:
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I don’t think saying or hearing happy holidays is an insult at all. What is an insult is when someone else gets offended when someone says merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, etc.
Saying a specific religious holiday should not be insulting at all. If I celebrate Christmas and I say merry Christmas I’m not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings. If they correct me and say I’m Jewish then I would say happy Hanukkah.
We all need to except each other‘s differences and not look at these differences as something negative.
Yes, it’s so ridiculous how sensitive people can be about such small things sometimes. I understand feeling strongly about certain things, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to treat others with an attitude, especially if the person is claiming to represent Jesus as a Christian. It makes me really sad when I see it happening, and the intent of people who share a “Happy holidays” is one of kindness and friendliness. I wish more of us would react with kindness as well. ❤️