A woman here at work often wishes people “Merry Christmas” when she gets off the phone. Since we’re a big corporation, I’ve wondered about this. She’s an older woman who is quite set in her ways, and when I recently joked about the Holiday vs. Christmas thing it was clear that she didn’t appreciate my jest.
There has been much political talk about this issue this year (and every year?). Bush sent out a “Happy Holidays” card, Target doesn’t put “Merry Christmas” on their bags anymore. I’ve been thinking about my feelings on this a great deal, and I don’t know how I feel. Mostly I just wish people wouldn’t fight over everything, but I do understand how much it sucks to not be a Christian in the US.
I don’t even know what I celebrate. The origins of the Christmas celebrations are not Christian, but the reason I put up the Christmas tree wasn’t because I was celebrating anything pagan or Christian. I’m an atheist, I put up a Christmas tree because it’s fun to have a tree in the house and my cat loves it.
So what is it that I celebrate? Time off of work? Good food and good company? Excuses to buy expensive gifts for each other?
What do you celebrate? And how do you feel about celebrating this holiday without it’s religious undertones?