Secular Thursday

The kids and I were doing some shopping today and we noticed the Australian stores having their holiday decorations and things up.  One of the store checkers told us "Happy Holiday!" with a lovely smile.  She was so sincere!  And I kept thinking about why some people get so uptight about the various options of how to wish a person joy during this upcoming season ~~ because she was SO sweet!

So, I get home and a friend had posted this on his Facebook page:




Now WHY anyone would have a problem with someone saying anything except for "Merry Christmas" is really a mystery to me.  I don't get the vehemence of such responses.  And, although this clip art states a "respect" for Kwanzaa and Chanukah, somehow it is still kind of rude about it.   So, here was my reply to my friend:

You don't HAVE to stop saying "Merry Christmas"!
Just understand that I have chosen to include everyone in my happy seasonal wishes, including those who are not Christian.
I, in no way, mean my 'Happy Holidays' as a DIS to anyone. Instead, I prefer to acknowledge that many wonderful people have celebrations at this time of year and I wish them well.

So, be warned, it's here already!
Enjoy your holidays!

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November 30th addendum. 
Bella Casa, a reader of this blog recommended this wonderful blog post for further thoughts on the matter from a blog called The Fat Pastor.  I read some more of his blog.  I appreciate his ability to think critically about some religious doctrine and practices.