‘Tis the season, or so they say.  As the Christmas season unfolds, so does the annual debate surround the greetings we exchange. “Happy Holidays” versus “Merry Christmas” becomes a battleground for expression.

You might view the push for a generic “Happy Holidays” approach as well-intentioned, aiming to be inclusive of diverse beliefs. But when we place Christmas into a catch-all category, we risk diluting its true meaning and significance.

Furthermore, the excuse of adopting a more general greeting to be sensitive to other beliefs or to include holidays that occur this time of year is factually incorrect, as we don’t do that any other time of year.

Should we lump together other holidays? After all, there are more federal holidays between Memorial Day and July 4 and more religious holidays in March.

It’s not inclusive…why do we start saying Happy Holidays after Thanksgiving and stop at Christmas even though Hanukkah can and has ended after Christmas? Or, why not be inclusive and not say Happy New Year on January 1st as this is not the Chinese or Jewish New Year?

Let’s begin by clarifying that Christmas is not confined to a date on the calendar. It’s about an incredible act of love to be treasured every day of the year. It’s about the sacrifice that God made for us, sending His Son to this world as a man to redeem us from our sins. This truth, encapsulated in the birth of Christ, is the heartbeat of Christmas.

By saying “Happy Holidays”, we inadvertently place the coming of Christ on equal footing with President’s Day or Labor Day, dismissing its unparalleled importance. It implies that the coming of Christ is no more significant than other religious, historical or cultural celebrations which are named specifically.

So, despite societal pressures, I encourage all believers to proudly say “Merry Christmas” and, in doing so, uphold the true spirit of the season.

And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with enjoying the secular traditions of twinkling lights, gift exchanges and the jolly man in the red suit, as Christians, we must be cautious not to let these festivities overshadow the true reason for the season.  The birth of Jesus is not just a historical event nor is it just a nice story we tell once a year. 

In Luke 2:10-11, the angels proclaimed, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

About Peter Demos - Peter Demos is a local restaurateur, Christian writer and business owner-developer, licensed attorney and more. He is the author of “On the Duty of Christian Civil Disobedience”. As a Tennessee Christian business leader, Demos uses his biblical perspective and insight gained from his own struggles to lead others to truth and authenticity in a broken world. To learn more, visit peterdemos.org.