Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays

I understand the interest and controversy over whether to say to people or shop at places that promote or say one over the other. I'm not really sure how I feel about it. I personally use Merry Christmas because the point of the "holiday" is the birth of the Christ, Jesus. That is the reason I celebrate. I give gifts; I put up a tree, lights, and other decorations, but the real meaning of Christmas is that the creator of the world became the savior of the world; to do that, he had to become like us, live like us, but not sin like us. That is the point of Christmas.

Happy Holidays has become popular because people celebrate this "holiday" as a fun day of giving gifts, period. They don't want Christ or God to enter into their lives, thus they have left Christ out of Christmas. What better way to do that then to overgeneralize what the purpose of the celebration is and say Happy Holidays?

I agree with those who say the reason for the season is Christ, therefore, Christmas. However, do we want Jesus' birth commercialized any more than it already is? Is fighting with stores and consumers over whether to say "Christmas" or "Holidays" important? Christ is important, but is using the name of Jesus to sell more toys, electronics, and cars right? I want the point of Jesus' birth to be made, but should it be made while customers are fighting over the last toy on the shelf? Should the name of God be associated with, what has become a commercialized time of the year?

On the flip side, aside from the origins of the actual date of the celebration of the birth of Christ (see BBC Article), the reason that the majority of people celebrate the "holiday" is because their parents celebrated the birth of Christ (or, if not their parents, their grandparents). Why do they celebrate now? What is their purpose now? To hang holly, give gifts, and get together with family? What is the real point? The point is a birthday celebration, and the reason for the season should be made clear...just about everyone began celebrating or now celebrates because of Jesus.

What is the answer?


P.S. - Did you know the word holiday is a conjunction of use over time of the words "Holy" and "Day?" Also, Holy means, among other things: "specially recognized as or declared sacred; dedicated or devoted; entitled to worship or veneration; and unimpaired innocence and virtue, free from sinful affections, pure in heart, irreproachable, and guiltless." If this is what we celebrate, Christ's birth as a "Holy Day," I have no problem saying Happy Holidays!