[docroc67]

Merry Christmas to all-

I have used the expression "Happy Holidays" for about fifty years and never thought of it as an issue. Last week at Rotary, one of our members, in fewer words and in less heat, pretty much said the same thing about using "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays" as a greeting as I read on this thread. I wasn't real sure why this was a "big deal" to him. I must have missed something in the news that said that there is some conspiracy, Liberal or otherwise, to eliminate "Merry Christmas" from common useage. I don't think so... to me people can say what they want in greeting me at this time of year. I even like "Season's Greetings."

I have always used "Happy Holidays" to greet people in recognition of the fact that we celebrate two holidays at this time of year: Christmas and New Year. I really love this season of light that has been celebrated, in various forms and ways, for thousands of years. It should be a time to bring us together in our hope that light will indeed triumph over darkness. Luckily we live in a country where we can celebrate as we choose without being dictated to by a government or a particular church. We have managed to preserve that freedom of choice for over two hundred years. No mean feat that requires a remarkable level of respect and toleration that has not been characteristic of many people, countries, or churches throughout history.

So, I will continue to say "Happy Holidays" not because it is politically correct but because it simply expresses my wish that everyone take joy in the act of giving and that they have a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. Exactly, what I wish for each of you.

Yours in ZAX,
Mike Raymond, ZUZ
Miami University (Oxford), 1967