But, let’s look at the real issue here. Not writing or saying “Merry Christmas,” or using the phrase “Happy Holidays,” is somehow perceived as waging war on Christmas. I argue that getting worked up over something without really understanding it, brings more harm than the claim itself. So, let’s try to understand where Christmas really came from and what it truly means.
It’s no secret that Jesus was most likely born in April, not in December. Haven’t we ever wondered why shepherds would be herding their sheep in the middle of winter? You see, for centuries before it is even believed that Jesus was born, pagans would celebrate light during the darkest, most difficult days of winter. This winter solstice provided an opportunity to celebrate the worst being behind us and soon the coming of extended daylight as the sun stays up longer. There were (and still are) all sorts of traditions native to Scandinavia, Germany, Europe and Rome that took place long before “Christmas” was ever an idea.
In the early days of Christianity, Easter was the only celebration. But in the fourth century, Pope Julius I chose to institute the birth of Jesus as a festival, it was called “The Feast of the Nativity,” and the Pope chose to hold this celebration on December 25. It was a genius idea. People would have already been celebrating their long-standing winter solstice traditions so The Feast of the Nativity could blend right in with all the other festivities. And that’s exactly what happened, even incorporating many of the pagan traditions, such as Christmas trees, wreaths, yule logs, fancy feasts, Santa Claus and gift-giving.
The end of the year was - and still is - a time for many religious and secular holiday celebrations. That’s why it’s called “The Holiday Season.” How great that Christian leaders found a way for followers of Christ to be a part of that! It’s beautiful really, a time of the year when all people, regardless of culture or belief, come to together and celebrate what is good with the world.
Therefore, to not appreciate someone wishing us a “Happy Holiday,” actually negates the whole reason Christmas was placed in December. Christmas is a holiday, and it’s placed in the midst of the holiday season for one purpose… to bring people together. Interesting isn’t it? The One whose birth we celebrate at Christmas is founded on the very principle of unity; he came to bring “good news of great joy to all people.” If we want to honor the birth of Jesus, we need not worry ourselves with cups and other mundane things, but rather, with the values that constitute Jesus. Christians own nothing about the holiday season except for the responsibility of Christ’s birth; and the birth of Christ is so much more than mere words. We can say “Merry Christmas” until we’re blue in the face – but until we feed the poor, free the oppressed, fight for justice, and love our neighbor... the nativity doesn’t happen. I wish each of you the merriest of Winter Solstice, Bodhi Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Human Rights Day, Chalica, Christmas, Lohri, and/or Epiphany! May we each have a blessed New Year, and may we all know true peace.