Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

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kaylagrl

Guest
#1
This is for those who celebrate Christmas.This debate has gone on for the past few years.I always say Merry Christmas but some stores have told employees to stop saying "Merry Christmas".I say it to them either way and usually get it back.Some have boycotted stores that wont say "Merry Christmas".I'm guessing folks dont know holidays is a blending of holy days. So which do you say? And does it matter to you if a store doesn't say Merry Christmas.Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on the subject.Also how do you feel about the xmas abbreviation?e
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,869
9,601
113
#3
This is for those who celebrate Christmas.This debate has gone on for the past few years.I always say Merry Christmas but some stores have told employees to stop saying "Merry Christmas".I say it to them either way and usually get it back.Some have boycotted stores that wont say "Merry Christmas".I'm guessing folks dont know holidays is a blending of holy days. So which do you say? And does it matter to you if a store doesn't say Merry Christmas.Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on the subject.Also how do you feel about the xmas abbreviation?e

I've never really thought about whether to say "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas." Technically, I think saying happy holidays is more accurate since Christmas and New Year's are only a week apart. :) I've had people say both to me before, but it wouldnt bother me at all if store employees didn't say merry christmas to me or not. I use the xmas abbreviation, I see nothing wrong with it. It's only an abbreviation, not a form of disrespect.. :)
 
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Angelmommie

Guest
#4
I just find it annoying that all year long they want to silence Christians in one way or another but then to do it at the time of the year that we have dedicated to celebrate His birth is really annoying..but it seems that we are allowing it to be done to us without too much fuss..so how can we complain to much..i like the idea of the boycotts, why not give the business to those who support the Christian holiday..which saying Merry Christmas does..as for your last question..I feel guilty when I abbreviate Christmas, I know it is probably silly but I do!:)
 

john832

Senior Member
May 31, 2013
11,365
186
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#6
A difficult time for those of us who do not observe xmas. Difficult to return greetings without being offensive or generating a discussion that one does not really want or have time for.
 
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kaylagrl

Guest
#7
I just find it annoying that all year long they want to silence Christians in one way or another but then to do it at the time of the year that we have dedicated to celebrate His birth is really annoying..but it seems that we are allowing it to be done to us without too much fuss..so how can we complain to much..i like the idea of the boycotts, why not give the business to those who support the Christian holiday..which saying Merry Christmas does..as for your last question..I feel guilty when I abbreviate Christmas, I know it is probably silly but I do!:)
I did boycott Target when they forbade the saying of Merry Christmas. If you dont want Christians money fine by me. Haven't been back since.They made a point to stop it and that annoyed me.
I was raised to not use xmas also.Really bothers my father so we never used it.He was anti Santa too.lol My mother had painted a Santa picture and put it on our front door one year,we never used that door.She thought he didnt notice but after Christmas he let her know he saw it.Busted! I dont have Santa in my own home now and since I was raised that way I probably wont.I must admit though I do like those old vintage Santa paintings,reminds me of my grandmother.
 
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Angelmommie

Guest
#8
I did boycott Target when they forbade the saying of Merry Christmas. If you dont want Christians money fine by me. Haven't been back since.They made a point to stop it and that annoyed me.
I was raised to not use xmas also.Really bothers my father so we never used it.He was anti Santa too.lol My mother had painted a Santa picture and put it on our front door one year,we never used that door.She thought he didnt notice but after Christmas he let her know he saw it.Busted! I dont have Santa in my own home now and since I was raised that way I probably wont.I must admit though I do like those old vintage Santa paintings,reminds me of my grandmother.
Awe..that is nice..I was going to go with no santa, but then they went to school at 3 years old and brought him home..so he became the guy who brought birthday presents on the day we celebrate Christs birth..Jesus is all about giving you know..I try to make it more about Jesus, we have a birthday cake for Him..last year it was a Lamb cake so we could work in that idea too..plus my kiddos are a little "different" too so I am always questioning the choices I make in explaining everything to do with God and Jesus to them..That was a cute story about your parents..thank you for sharing!:)
 
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kaylagrl

Guest
#9
Awe..that is nice..I was going to go with no santa, but then they went to school at 3 years old and brought him home..so he became the guy who brought birthday presents on the day we celebrate Christs birth..Jesus is all about giving you know..I try to make it more about Jesus, we have a birthday cake for Him..last year it was a Lamb cake so we could work in that idea too..plus my kiddos are a little "different" too so I am always questioning the choices I make in explaining everything to do with God and Jesus to them..That was a cute story about your parents..thank you for sharing!:)
I was hoping to keep it light.Things can turn nasty on a dime over the smallest issues.lol I think as long as they know Jesus is the reason for Christmas and how he came to us in a manger it's fine.There is an age of understanding where they can be told,most already know.
 

KohenMatt

Senior Member
Jun 28, 2013
4,021
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#10
A difficult time for those of us who do not observe xmas. Difficult to return greetings without being offensive or generating a discussion that one does not really want or have time for.
I've been in the habit of just saying "Thank you".
 
May 9, 2012
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#11
I don't really care...Remember, not everyone celebrates Christmas. There are people that Celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanza. Some don't celebrate anything. I celebrate Christmas but I think it's a dangerous assumption to think everyone celebrates Christmas. Imagine going to someone and saying "Merry Christmas" when they actually celebrate Hanukkah. Now think of it the other way around. What if we lived in a time when the majority of people celebrated Hanukkah and there were a few that celebrated Christmas? Imagine you being that person told "Happy Hanukkah" when you actually celebrate Christmas. The phrase "Happy Holidays" just encompasses all holidays. Remember, we live in an era where people are afraid of offending others because people sue for stupid reasons anymore. In the case of people in jobs like that, it's just better to be safe than sorry. Then look at it the other way: Headlines saying "Walmart greeter banned for saying Merry Christmas". Imagine how that would fly. That's just a few angles that this argument can go.
 
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kaylagrl

Guest
#12
In the US there has been a lot of fuss about it. A governor I think it was calling the tree a "holiday tree" instead of a Christmas tree. Atheists kicking up a fuss over manger scenes.Just wondering if anyone had an opinion about it all.Thanks to those who have shared.
 
Jul 22, 2014
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#13
Christmas is pagan in origin. Where do think the word Christmas is derived from? Christ-mass. The word "mass" is associated with the Catholic Church. It means death. Meaning, they celebrate his death in their mass rituals. December 25th is also known to be a pagan holiday in Rome before Christmas came into being. Don't believe me? Research it for yourself.
 
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MadParrotWoman

Guest
#14
Always Merry Christmas, never xmas. Pagan roots or not it is a Christian festival and has been so for all of my life.
 
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kaylagrl

Guest
#15
Christmas is pagan in origin. Where do think the word Christmas is derived from? Christ-mass. The word "mass" is associated with the Catholic Church. It means death. Meaning, they celebrate his death in their mass rituals. December 25th is also known to be a pagan holiday in Rome before Christmas came into being. Don't believe me? Research it for yourself.

Theres already a post on that discussion.I was wanting to start a new one here discussing Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays.Thanks though.
 

john832

Senior Member
May 31, 2013
11,365
186
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#16
Christmas is pagan in origin. Where do think the word Christmas is derived from? Christ-mass. The word "mass" is associated with the Catholic Church. It means death. Meaning, they celebrate his death in their mass rituals. December 25th is also known to be a pagan holiday in Rome before Christmas came into being. Don't believe me? Research it for yourself.
It is amazing to many how many people know the truth but don't practice it.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,650
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#19
i thought it's "happy birthday" or "peace on earth, goodwill toward men"
 

john832

Senior Member
May 31, 2013
11,365
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#20
The birthday thing doesn't work. Christ was born at/around the Feast of Trumpets, late September/early October.