The other day, I was in a store, and noticed an Advent calendar for sale. This calendar was decorated with a Christmas tree, presents, holly and other symbols of Christmas, but it was called a "holiday count down calendar". This was taking the politically correct expression of "happy holidays" a little too far.
I can understand that a store doesn't want to offend its non-Christian customers by saying "merry Christmas" to them. "Happy holidays" is a broader term that wishes good will to Jews, people who celebrate Kwanza, and Christians alike. But most of the stores I've been shopping in haven't even said that to me.
Why do our solutions have to be all one way, or all the other? Why can't an Advent calendar be called just that? What else does it count down to but Christmas?
And when a customer is checking out, why can't the sales clerk take a look at the person's clothing and jewelry, and give them a more personal greeting? Isn't a cross necklace or a sweatshirt with Christmas trees all over it non-verbal communication of what the person believes in? If the customer is non-verbally communicating what holiday they celebrate, then why isn't it OK to wish them a merry one?
So when you see me wearing my Christmas earrings, and a shirt covered with Christmas wreaths, feel free to wish me a merry Christmas. I'll wish you one right back.
I can understand that a store doesn't want to offend its non-Christian customers by saying "merry Christmas" to them. "Happy holidays" is a broader term that wishes good will to Jews, people who celebrate Kwanza, and Christians alike. But most of the stores I've been shopping in haven't even said that to me.
Why do our solutions have to be all one way, or all the other? Why can't an Advent calendar be called just that? What else does it count down to but Christmas?
And when a customer is checking out, why can't the sales clerk take a look at the person's clothing and jewelry, and give them a more personal greeting? Isn't a cross necklace or a sweatshirt with Christmas trees all over it non-verbal communication of what the person believes in? If the customer is non-verbally communicating what holiday they celebrate, then why isn't it OK to wish them a merry one?
So when you see me wearing my Christmas earrings, and a shirt covered with Christmas wreaths, feel free to wish me a merry Christmas. I'll wish you one right back.
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