I was shopping on Wednesday at one of my local Hallmark stores. For future reference, I’m crazy for the Hallmark ornaments (I worked in a Hallmark in college). After I checked out, the cashier, who was very friendly, perky and young said, “Merry Christmas.”
According to some people, this non-Christian witch should have gone absolutely apeshit at the presumption of my celebration of Christmas. My reply? A very genuine “Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too.”
I don’t get this myth that non-Christians take great offense at hearing “Merry Christmas.” I’ve blogged about this before, about how if you say, “I’m not a Christian” and the reply is “Merry Christmas,” that could be construed as offensive. If someone holds a door open for you and says, “Merry Christmas” that’s not offensive.
There’s no inherent offense in a greeting like that. If someone said, “Happy Hanukkah” or “Blessed Solstice” or “Happy Festivus” it would all be the same to me. The intent behind it is what matters. It’s hard to use the phrase “Merry Christmas” with the intention of pissing people off. “Fuck you,” for example, would be much more effective.
As a pagan, there are better ways to get my Irish up. A cheerful “Merry Christmas” is not going to work. I’m busy baking cookies and listening to my Brian Setzer CD
Just b/c I don’t celebrate the religious aspect of Christmas doesn’t mean I don’t share in the Christmas spirit. So if you’re feeling “iffy” about saying “Merry Christmas” (which is a lovely sounding phrase) instead of the clunky “Happy Holidays,” go with your gut.
BTW: It’s the Christmas TV weekend. Set your TiVos.
Charlie Brown is on ABC again Sunday (it’s not the same w/o that spinning “CBS Special” logo). Elf is on CBS on Saturday as is It’s A Wonderful Life (NBC). National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is on TBS Sunday. Tonight on TCM, back to back, are A Christmas Story and the 1949 Little Women (Double Indemnity is on Sunday — ooh!) .
Still no black and white Miracle On 34th Street (no modern version, no colorized version for me), Trading Places, The Ref, or Die Hard. Luckily we have those last three on DVD, along with the TNT “A Christmas Carol” starring Patrick Stewart.
A History of Violence is on HBO tonight. I saw it last week. It’s the first film to really blow my mind in a long time. If you haven’t seen it yet, put it on your “to watch” list. Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like Viggo Mortenson and Maria Bello having angry sex on the stairs.
PS: I’m going to do a mass moving of my old Blogger posts this weekend so if your feed goes kazoo, that’s why.
8 Comments
December 15, 2006 at 3:13 pm
I agree. This has been blown way out of proportion, mostly by Bill O’reilly in his quest for ratings. There are a few people who will bitch, but then the “Christians” paint all non-Christians with the same broad brush. However, if you deign to judge all Christians by the acts of the molesters and such, you’re being a bigot.
December 15, 2006 at 4:20 pm
i’m not offended by it but I still prefer the phrase “Hi fredlet! here’s 20 bucks!”
December 15, 2006 at 4:27 pm
I read today that he says that women should be able to get pregnant from eating cupcakes. WTF?
December 15, 2006 at 5:09 pm
OK - here goes. My tirade of the day!
Eden knows the first part of my day was so wonderful!
Please don’t put all Christians into one lump. First we are not all members of the “religious right”, with no respect of anyone else’s beliefs. I am a leftie! Second, I respect everyone’s belief - Christian, Jew, Pagan, Muslim, whatever . You are free to believe what you want (or not believe as the case may be).
I work in an office where this time of year, although no one decorates, we all get caught up in the spirit of the season. Two co-workers are Jewish, one is married to a Jew. Yet they all wish me Merry Christmas and I do likewise and they are not offended. I wish them Happy Hanukkah and they do likewise and I am not offended. It is just a Happy Holidays Season!
It is a “Merry” season. Why, one of my Jewish co-worker gave me a huge gift this year: an $8 (yes eight dollars) gift card for Starbucks!
I am beside myself with joy. Teh
It’s a beautiful time of the year. It’s the spirit of the season that matters - So if someone says Merry Christmas just smile and say Back Atcha! Or just smile. Don’t be hostile.
Merry Christmas - Happy Hanukkah - Happy/Blessed Kwanza - Blessed Solstice - whatever your belief, enjoy the season.
December 15, 2006 at 5:09 pm
Yeah, I posted about that remark. I saw it on the “Sweet Jesus, I Hate Bill O’Reilly” site.
December 15, 2006 at 7:51 pm
Speaking of Christmas….how did you get your blog banner graphic to look so clean and crisp? It is outstanding. Mine look so grainy. I’m using Photoshop and clearly have no idea to do it.
December 15, 2006 at 8:05 pm
It’s in the camera. I took a close-up photo in natural light with the right settings. Some cameras have you push the button halfway down to focus first. Hawk never does this & therefore his photos are always blurry. Maybe your camera requires the same?
The person to ask about great photos is ron
December 15, 2006 at 11:47 pm
I saw the black and white Miracle on 34th street…last week sometime. I’ll be damned if I can remember what channel though.
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