A few years ago, I noticed that the retail stores decided to try and play it "safe" and not offend anyone by saying Happy Holidays. They also forced their employees to say Happy Holidays instead of saying Merry Christmas to the customers.
Reality check!! I have news for you retailers: I was offended!!
By the retailers making the decision to remove the words Merry Christmas from their advertising, they are in effect disavowing Jesus Christ who is the reason for Christmas. If the retailers are going to reap the benefits because of Christmas than the least they can do is have advertising that says Merry Christmas and also say Merry Christmas to their customers.
I can hear the words Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, or sayings of any other holiday and not get offended. Around 87% of Americans identify themselves as Christans in this country and probably even more than that celebrate the Christmas holiday. So, why are the retail stores risking offending a majority of the population? We should all be equal regardless of our different faiths and respect one another.
Desiree Rogers, the White House Social Secretary, stated that the White House would be celebrating a non-religious Christmas. And then, thankfully reversed the decision and said that the White House would be having a creche. Ron in his article at TOTUS does an excellent job of elaborating on this issue. And, Bunni over at Amusing Bunni's Musings has some hilarious Christmas videos that you will enjoy.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
29 comments:
So companies using Jesus' name ('Christ') as a gimmick to get shoppers and induce people to spend ever more money- you're OK with that?
That is all Christmas is nowadays. And frankly, having Jesus' name so prominently linked with the worship of the MasterCard bothers me. What bothers me even more is people getting their knickers in a twist over the greeting the clerk gives them at Walmart. Does it really matter all that much?
I guess I'm just aching to get slammed on this one, but I just had to say all that. ;)
Merry Christmas (and Happy Holidays). :)
Liberty,
So, you think Jesus is just a gimmick?
Christmas is the holiday that celebrates Jesus' birth. This is not about retailers using Jesus' name to make money. It is about the retailers recognizing the birth of Jesus.
Jesus is no gimmick.
Jesus's name will not be put on the mastercard. Merchandise is not the reason for the season. But, giving gifts is also a part of the Christmas season and Christmas tradition.
So, are you against retailers and their employees saying Merry Christmas?
Why do you think that retailers have the right to profit from the Christmas holiday while not recognizing Christmas?
Merry Christmas :)
Well done, Teresa. Never miss a chance to say it: Merry Christmas!
I hope you and yours have a very Happy Christmas and enjoy all the good things that come with the holiday season. Thanks for th H/T
It is what I say every place I do, even at work, which is somewhat PC,and hinted for then employees to say that happy holiday garbage.
I refuse,and say Merry Christmas.
No, I do not think Jesus' name is a gimmick. But that is how retailers use it. I'm sorry, but I don't like my Savior's name being used as a slogan for consumerism.
I am not against it. But I do think that throwing a fit over such a petty issue really makes us seem desperate for something to complain about.
The Christmas holiday isn't about Jesus anymore, not really. Even you and I- I can guarantee that my first thought on Christmas morning is not about Jesus, but about what I'm going to get. Frankly, I don't want my own materialism to be linked to my Savior's name.
I think it is significant that we don't know when Jesus was born- but God did give us enough so we can figure out when he was ressurrected. Because, in the end, that is what is miraculous, and what we should focus on. His birth is not unimportant, but it is not the all-important issue we try to make it.
We can't expect the world to do the right thing for the right reasons. If the stores say "happy holidays," we complain that they're discriminating. If they say Merry Christmas, we say it's inauthentic. Maybe retailers are responding to all of the complaints from prior years and acknowledging Christmas. I'll be happy with that.
Matt,
I think that the stores should give their employees the option to say one or the other, or even both sayings but forcing them to say one saying as opposed to the other is discriminatory. Plus, this is yet another example of the political correctness going on in this country.
Snarky,
I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!!
Ron,
I hope you and your family have a wonderful and a Merry Christmas!!
Conservative Scalawag,
That's great!! I hate being PC. There is aomething special about saying Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to ALL !
A Blssed and Safe Christmas to you and your family from all of the Graff's here in Wisconsin. stay warm, stay true, stay right and love others like Christ loves us.
The God who wore diapers... What a concept!
Hi Teresa! I totally agree with you! Jesus IS the REASON for the Season...it's CHRISTmas!
Whenever a clerk anywhere, or ANYONE says happy holidays to me! I smile and say MERRY CHRISTMAS!
9 times out of 10, they look all relieved and say it right back...they have been ordered to say the "holiday" thing, but you know they don't want to!
Thanks for the hat tip over my way! I hope everyone enjoys the Christmas Video's...once you get past the bad santa....hee hee. There are other cute ones on previous posts. I need to do some new stuff tomorrow, but I'm exhausted.
You posted some adorable video's too! I hope you're having a fun Pre-Christmas Weekend!
I make it a point to say "Merry Christmas" to the sales people at the stores and everyone else I meet this time of year.
Merry Christmas, Teresa, to you and your family. Wishes for a Happy & Healthy New Year, too.
In the UK we haven't quite gone down the "Happy Holidays" route yet. All religions and celebrations are recognised and respected individually. My kids have been learning about Hanukkah at school and they also held a Diwali celebration a few weeks back. Each year we receive Christmas cards from three of our Muslim friends and our Hindu friends have a Christmas Tree and exchange a few gifts on Christmas Day. And of course whilst we are celebrating the birth of Christ the timing of Christmas is totally arbitrary - simply coinciding with ancient Pagan midwinter festivals and St Nicholas' Day. Christ is not the only reason for the season......though to me the principal reason. There is pressure from some to start calling Christmas "the Holidays" which to my ears isn't offensive, just dull and condescending. It almost implies that different religions can't get on and respect each other.
Merry Christmas!!
Well siad and I am in total agreement Teresa ! May you and yours and all others that visit here have a Very Merry CHRISTMAS and a Joyous New Year !
Odie,
Merry Christmas!
Eman,
I hope you and yours have a wonderful, blessed, and safe Christmas holiday!!
Amusing Bunni,
I hope you are enjoying and relaxing this weekend. We must keep Christ in Chistmas. I love your cute animal videos!! Have a Merry Christmas!!!
Most Rev. Gregori,
I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!!!
The Conservative Lady,
I hope you and your family have a wonderful and relaxing Merry Christmas!!! I hope you have a happy and healthy New Year!!
I say Merry Christmas every chance I get.
Cambridge Lady,
I would love it if the retailers in the U.S. recognized each holiday separately.
Have a Merry Christmas!!
Christopher,
May you and yours have a wonderful Merry Christmas!
I hope you have a happy and healthy New Year!
I despise the phrase happy holidays
Whether or not a clerk or anyone says "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" to me is of little importance. When I worked retail, I chose to say "Happy Holidays" because it was all inclusive. We didn't have a company policy on what term to use, it was up to the individual. Unless we start requiring people to stamp their religious belief on their forehead, "Happy Holidays" makes the most sense to me.
Although a majority of this country identifies itself as Christian, what I'd find interesting is what percentage of Christians are offended by the term "Happy Holidays". For all we know, the percentage could be less than the number of non-Christians who are offended when someone says "Merry Christmas" to them.
Trestin,
The saying excludes Christ from Christmas.
Malcolm,
There are many retailers that won't allow their clerks to say Merry Christmas. That is inexcusable. That is violating their Christian beliefs, and their freedom of religion which is guaranteed in the constitution.
You would be surprised how many people are offended by the saying Happy Holidays but are afraid to speak because of how this society has turned secular and to some degree has anti-religious sentiment.
Happy Holidays excludes Jesus who is the main reason for the season. Happy hannukah and other holidays should be mentioned specifically instead of lumped all together as if they are all pretty much the same. These are different religions and each must be respected, and by the stores not saying Merry Christmas they are showing disrespect to Christians.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Oh late but sure, I do hope you have enjoyed and remembered the wonderful visions of heaven on earth which was a promise fulfilled by the Son who's birth we celebrate. Remember it every day. Good wishes for your new year!
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