S/O Isn't Christmas about Christ?

[Anonymous]

If we are to be such a tolerant society nowadays, why are some Christians worried about offending others with their faith around the "holidays?" Isn't the origination of CHRISTmas about CHRIST? Certainly, if you are of a different faith, then take on as many of the secular traditions (aka Santa, etc) as you want and celebrate those, but I don't understand people who would get offended at getting a Christmas card that says*gasp* 'Merry Christmas' or 'Born in a Manger' or some other religious sentiment. Christmas in the US is about celebrating Jesus' birth--whether that is what YOU believe and celebrate or not. Just because we have become a society that perpetuates Santa, presents and shopping as the basis of this celebration doesn't mean that the original meaning behind the holiday is irrelevant. Thus, please don't get upset when there are people out there who choose to actually voice their beliefs, in the form of a "Merry Christmas" or 'religious' Christmas card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we are to be such a tolerant society nowadays, why are some Christians worried about offending others with their faith around the "holidays?" Isn't the origination of CHRISTmas about CHRIST? Certainly, if you are of a different faith, then take on as many of the secular traditions (aka Santa, etc) as you want and celebrate those, but I don't understand people who would get offended at getting a Christmas card that says*gasp* 'Merry Christmas' or 'Born in a Manger' or some other religious sentiment. Christmas in the US is about celebrating Jesus' birth--whether that is what YOU believe and celebrate or not. Just because we have become a society that perpetuates Santa, presents and shopping as the basis of this celebration doesn't mean that the original meaning behind the holiday is irrelevant. Thus, please don't get upset when there are people out there who choose to actually voice their beliefs, in the form of a "Merry Christmas" or 'religious' Christmas card.

I have never heard someone get upset when people say "Merry Christmas", only when people say "Happy Holidays".

[Anonymous]

How would you feel at every turn someone said "Happy Hanukkah" not caring or realizing you do not celebrate it? How would you feel about having to listen to non-stop Hanukkah music when you shop? How would you feel if people pretending to be friendly asked if your child enjoyed lighting the menorah and acting like your child is being rude for looking at them funny as they do not know what it is (my child has no clue who Santa is)?

Why not just say Happy Holidays and be respectful to all?

[Anonymous]

I always get worried about this every year and feel too awkward to bring it up. I say 'merry Christmas' to my non-Christian friends mainly because they say it to me. Of course I also say happy Hanukkah, happy Diwali to them too. I see it as a sharing of a general feeling of goodwill and not proselytizing or anything like that.

[Anonymous]

No, Christmas isn't about Christ, it is about turning a pagan holiday into something agreeable to a fairly young and dogmatic religion that had to appease the common folk by allowing them to continue their traditions in a way that would not undercut said religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would you feel at every turn someone said "Happy Hanukkah" not caring or realizing you do not celebrate it? How would you feel about having to listen to non-stop Hanukkah music when you shop? How would you feel if people pretending to be friendly asked if your child enjoyed lighting the menorah and acting like your child is being rude for looking at them funny as they do not know what it is (my child has no clue who Santa is)?

Why not just say Happy Holidays and be respectful to all?

This. I'm Christian but the OP makes no sense. Nobody is offended by Christians treating Christmas as a religious holiday. Quite the opposite--they are offended by Christians treating Christmas as a universal holiday. Why say Merry Christmas to someone who does not celebrate Christmas at all?

[Anonymous]

We have friends of many faiths (or no faith at all) and want to recognize the spirit of the season without hoisting my beliefs upon them. For my close family, I send religious cards since I know they are Christian. Other's get general season's greetings cards. And although you call it "Christmas time", it really is a holiday season with many celebrations.
Hanukkah varies a little each year. This year it was Nov 27 - Dec 5. It will begin Dec 16 next year and will end (shock) Dec 24.
Eid al-Adha varies year to year as well. It was October this year, but was in Dec in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Diwali varies year to year as well (Oct/Nov). It was Nov 3 this year.
Kwanza is always Dec 26-Jan 1.
If you want to keep Christ in your Christmas, go ahead. We keep Christ in Christmas in my house - it's not all about Santa and gifts. But you should recognize that not everyone is Christian, so sending a Muslim or Jew a "Jesus is Born!" card is ignorant and insensitive. Wouldn't you find it odd for them to send you a Hanukkah or Ramadan card?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would you feel at every turn someone said "Happy Hanukkah" not caring or realizing you do not celebrate it? How would you feel about having to listen to non-stop Hanukkah music when you shop? How would you feel if people pretending to be friendly asked if your child enjoyed lighting the menorah and acting like your child is being rude for looking at them funny as they do not know what it is (my child has no clue who Santa is)?

Why not just say Happy Holidays and be respectful to all?

I wouldn't take umbrage at being wished a Happy Hannukah. I'd smile and say thank you and "Happy Hannukah to you too."

-- Methodist.

[Anonymous]

I sort of get you OP. I found the thread about how Jewush parents handle Christmas to be a bit clueless. All the focus and hype about Santa. Little awareness of what the holiday truly means. In our house we talk about the real meaning behind holidays, and we attempt to expose/educate our children on a variety of faiths.

[Anonymous]

Geez, 15:15 - no one will ever say happy Hanukkah to you. This just doesn't happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we are to be such a tolerant society nowadays, why are some Christians worried about offending others with their faith around the "holidays?" Isn't the origination of CHRISTmas about CHRIST? Certainly, if you are of a different faith, then take on as many of the secular traditions (aka Santa, etc) as you want and celebrate those, but I don't understand people who would get offended at getting a Christmas card that says*gasp* 'Merry Christmas' or 'Born in a Manger' or some other religious sentiment. Christmas in the US is about celebrating Jesus' birth--whether that is what YOU believe and celebrate or not. Just because we have become a society that perpetuates Santa, presents and shopping as the basis of this celebration doesn't mean that the original meaning behind the holiday is irrelevant. [/b]Thus, please don't get upset when there are people out there who choose to actually voice their beliefs, in the form of a "Merry Christmas" or 'religious' Christmas card. [b]

You know that this doesn't actually happen in real life, right? It only happens on Planet War On Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Religious Christmas cards are perfectly acceptable for Christians....just as religious Hanukkah cards are perfectly acceptable for Jews.

Just to be clear: it is not cool to send a merry Christmas card to a Jewish perso...ever...period. That hasn't nothing to do with the war on Christmas. Rather, it's common courtesy to acknowledge a person's religious traditions.

Honestly, this thread coupled with some of the wacko comments on the Santa thread are making me embarrassed for all Christians.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would you feel at every turn someone said "Happy Hanukkah" not caring or realizing you do not celebrate it? How would you feel about having to listen to non-stop Hanukkah music when you shop? How would you feel if people pretending to be friendly asked if your child enjoyed lighting the menorah and acting like your child is being rude for looking at them funny as they do not know what it is (my child has no clue who Santa is)?

Why not just say Happy Holidays and be respectful to all?

I do hear hannukka stuff a lot, and I do not mind at all.
The music in the stores is awful, maybe they think people buy more that way
No need to say happy hannukkah when it is already over. Hannukkah is not a consolation celebration for those who do not do Christmas, so no need to make a big deal of a minor jewish holiday

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, Christmas isn't about Christ, it is about turning a pagan holiday into something agreeable to a fairly young and dogmatic religion that had to appease the common folk by allowing them to continue their traditions in a way that would not undercut said religion.

+1. Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you feel at every turn someone said "Happy Hanukkah" not caring or realizing you do not celebrate it? How would you feel about having to listen to non-stop Hanukkah music when you shop? How would you feel if people pretending to be friendly asked if your child enjoyed lighting the menorah and acting like your child is being rude for looking at them funny as they do not know what it is (my child has no clue who Santa is)?

Why not just say Happy Holidays and be respectful to all?

I do hear hannukka stuff a lot, and I do not mind at all.
The music in the stores is awful, maybe they think people buy more that way
No need to say happy hannukkah when it is already over. Hannukkah is not a consolation celebration for those who do not do Christmas, so no need to make a big deal of a minor jewish holiday

Not pp, but you don't get it. Not every child knows about Santa and Jesus, so it's a bit rude to go up to achild and ask him what he wants from Santa.