Every year about this time we begin hearing complaints from whose who believe their right to wish others a Merry Christmas has been taken away. Or they complain that someone wished them “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”

As a follower of Jesus who sincerely believes Jesus is the reason for the season I want to quote Archie Bunker and say, “Stifle yourself!”

I will soon be 76 years old and I’ve been wishing folks “Merry Christmas” for most of those years. In all those years I’ve never had someone complain when I wished them “Merry Christmas.”

When someone wishes me “Happy Holidays” I say, “Thank you, same to you!”

I’m always pleased when someone wishes me something positive. You would blush if you heard some of the things people have wished for me.

Those folks who get their undies twisted in a knot over such things seem to forget that our world is diverse. While Christmas is an important holiday for many of us, there are millions of others for whom Christmas is less important or not important at all.

Some of my Jewish friends joke about going to the movies on Christmas afternoon. Of course, Jews are as diverse as any other group of people so they may go to Grandma’s house or simply relax at home. The bottom line is Jews do not celebrate Christmas.

This year our Jewish neighbors will observe Hannukah on December 7-15. Hannukah is very much a Jewish holiday and not a Jewish substitute for Christmas.

I normally wish my Jewish friends “Happy Hannukah” or “Happy Holidays” but when I have said “Merry Christmas” instead no one has gotten upset. Usually folks simply say “thanks” or “same to you.”

Our Muslim neighbors do not celebrate Christmas either. They may enjoy the holiday and spend time with family on Christmas Day.

I am familiar with fewer Muslims than Jews but understand that most Muslims are not offended by being wished a Merry Christmas. One Muslim author wrote, “This is because as a Muslim, Jesus Christ — the birth of whom is the primary reason Christians celebrate Christmas — is a huge part of Islamic belief.” Muslims view Jesus as a prophet of God.

There are a several culturally important holidays this time of year. They include:

• St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 5 or 6

• Immaculate Conception Day, Dec. 8

• Bodhi Day, Dec. 8 (a Buddhist holiday)

• Feast Day of Our Lady Guadalupe, Dec. 12 (a Mexican holiday)

• Hanukkah, Dec. Dec. 7-15 this year

• Yule, Dec. 21-Jan. 1 (a Wiccan and Neo-Pagan observance)

• Christmas Day, Dec. 25

• Boxing Day, Dec. 26 (a tradition observed throughout the British Empire)

• Kwanzaa, Dec. 26-Jan. 1 (This week-long holiday honors African-American heritage.)

In addition to persons of other faiths, some people just don’t celebrate Christmas. Do you see now why some folks say “Happy Holidays?”

The word “Christmas” appears nowhere in the Bible. The observance of the nativity of Jesus as a formal holiday within the church began in the early 4th century.

If someone wishes you “Happy Holidays,” don’t take offense. What does it say about your faith if you are so sensitive?

Nearly 30 years ago when the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets were a thing and we were discussing them at the supper table, my then-teenage son observed, “I don’t think Jesus would spend four bucks on a cheap bracelet.” Similarly, I can’t imagine Jesus getting into a snit over someone saying “Happy Holidays.”

A wonderful gift we who claim to be followers of Jesus can give to him this Christmas is to show love and kindness to our neighbors, just as he told us.

So, with a few weeks to go before Christmas, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas … and Happy Holidays.

Arvid Huisman may be contacted at huismaniowa@gmail.com. ©2023 by Huisman Communications.