What's wrong with "Merry Christmas"?

[sistermagpie]

> ***Katie again:
> 
> 
> Well, I actually did write later on in that post that *if* "Happy 
Holidays" actually means something to the person saying it, that's 
great and fine. BUT - my point was, it means nothing to me. Why 
should someone be offended by me wishing them a genuine and 
heartfelt "Merry Christmas", rather than a lame and PC "Happy 
Holidays"?  
> 
> 
> If "Happy Holidays" actually means something to you, than it is 
neither lame nor banal...because there is a meaning and a feeling 
behind the words. But since I wouls much rather wish someone "Merry 
Christmas", the words would be empty of meaning if I said "Happy 
Holidays" instead. That's my real point - if I am wishing you good 
wishes, cheer, happiness and love...why should it matter that I am 
saying "Marry Christmas"? It will be obvious to anyone that I mean 
what I am saying, I am genuinely happy and full of cheer, and as I 
said, if the response was "Happy Hanukkah" or "Happy Ramadan" - I 
certainly wouldn't be offended by that, because I would know that 
person really meant what they were saying and I would appreciate 
their good wishes for me. 

> 
> I think we're too hung up on the *words*, when what we should be 
concerned with is the *meaning*. Just my .02, Katie

Magpie:
The only thing I would add to that is that the words might not just 
indicate cheer and joy. It might also mean, to the person hearing 
them, "You ought to celebrate Christmas!" or "Christmas is what 
everyone should be celebrating now!" Of course it would be nicer to 
give the person the benefit of the doubt and just accept the good 
wishes--I'm sure many people do. But even in this conversation the 
alternate meaning seems pretty strong too--i.e., We wish Merry 
Christmas because it's Christmas, dammit! We're the majority and 
that's what we/I celebrate! In my experience, when people reply 
with "Happy Hannukkah" or whatever, it's a gentle way of saying not 
just that they wish you good cheer too, but that they don't celebrate 
Christmas. They might not be offended or anything, but if they 
appreciated me not making the assumption that would be why I did it. 

-m