If you mean ‘Merry Christmas,’ just say it
December 18, 2018
When turkey decorations are put away and the rest of the leftovers are eaten, everyone knows it’s officially Christmas season. Christmas lights are untangled, tree farms open up, and children receive their advent calendars. Every night, ABC plays another Christmas movie for their “25 Days of Christmas” countdown and purchase after purchase is made online, hopefully in time for the big day.
“I love Christmas time,” junior Alex Prince said. “Not just because we get off school either, I like the feeling of it, the spirit I guess.”
As this season begins, we are truly at the most wonderful time of the year. It seems like there’s something in the air inspiring people to feel the holiday spirit. in the form of a very specific greeting or goodbye that is only appropriate for this season. Merry Christmas.
“I wish everyone a Merry Christmas,” senior Dom Magro said. “It’s just the right thing to do, I think.”
There is no argument over the connotation of these two words. No one wishes someone to be merry on Christmas with some hidden meaning behind the phrase. They aren’t trying to be conniving. The issue is not with these words, its with the people offended by them. Being forced to say Happy Holidays, instead of Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah is ridiculous.
“I feel like there’s a stigma that everyone has that they don’t want to hurt someone so they make everyone say Happy Holidays,” senior Danielle Bernstein said.
“I’m Jewish and I don’t think anyone really cares”.
Most teens at West Essex, including the Jewish ones, don’t really seem to care if someone wishes them a Merry Christmas or a Happy Holidays. To them, it’s still a nice thing to say.
“It doesn’t really offend me and I’m Jewish too. It’s still just a nice way of saying to have a good holiday season,” senior Samantha Bernstein said.
If you think the person you just held the door for is being rude when they smiled and wished you a Merry Christmas then you’re looking for something to be bothered by.
Merry Christmas is a phrase that is specific to the holiday season. Those two words are not something you can say year-round. For me, they’re not just words but reminders of Christmas cookies, family gatherings and fire crackling over the sound of “Jingle Bell Rock.” Saying Happy Holidays is perfectly fine and those who say it should not be punished, but anyone who feels personally affronted by an innocent wish to be merry on Christmas is promoting snowflake culture.
