I have to say, it's nice to be in a community where people aren't completely debilitated by the thought of wishing someone a Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays.
I grew up in Ottawa, so every year during the yuletide season, it was the same insufferable debate: is it wrong to wish someone a Merry Christmas?
There's an insane epidemic nowadays in that city of schools outright banning Christmas concerts, Christmas bake sales, even singing Christmas songs, all because it might - might- offend someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas.
Newsflash: most people aren't offended. And if they are, so be it. It's impossible to please everyone.
Most of my friends are Jewish, as I grew up in an area of Ottawa with a high Jewish population.
They love Christmas. Every bit of it. Why wouldn't they?
"Does it bother you when people wish you a Merry Christmas?" I asked one of my Jewish friends.
"No, would it offend you if I wished you a Happy Chanukkah?" she replied.
"Of course not."
"Then why would I be angry over 'Merry Christmas'?" she laughed.
It's true.
When people wish each other Merry Christmas, they're not saying, "Ok, now go home, rip down all your Kwanzaa decorations, chuck out your menorah and convert to Christianity please."
We're really just wishing you, and everyone, a nice holiday break.
That's it. Stop reading so much into it.
Since I grew up going to a public school, with many Jewish friends and even Muslim friends too, I was fortunate enough to participate in their celebrations at school during the Christmas season. Of course, most of us were Christian, so before the holiday break we'd get to bring in Christmas baked goods and talk about our Christmas traditions; my Jewish friends would bring in dreidels and potato latkes (the best meal you've ever had and you're seriously missing out if you've never had these) and my Muslim friends would talk to us about fasting during Ramadan.
It was fascinating; I loved hearing about different cultures and what they celebrate in comparison to what my family does.
BUT, it was never to the complete exclusion of Christmas. We still got to have a Christmas concert and sing Christmas songs, eat shortbread cookies and sip on hot chocolate.
Yes, we're a multicultural country but the problem is that Canada is such a push-over when it comes to accommodating these different religions that we do it to the complete alienation of the majority religion- Christianity!
Yes, 73 per cent of the population is Christian and celebrates Christmas to some capacity.
You don't think immigrants moving here know that? Do you really think they have these outrageous expectations that our country should turn a complete blind eye to the religion that most of us celebrate, in order to make them feel more at ease?
No!
Many of them are moving here because they like Canada, they like us and they like Christianity, Christmas, the holiday season, whatever you want to call it. Of course they don't have to celebrate it themselves and we're happy to have them move here with the freedom and comfort of celebrating their own lifestyle and beliefs.
Hence, why in the heck would they blow a gasket over the sight of tinsel or the sound of a bunch of kids singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
Please. Most of them wouldn't.
If I went to Israel and someone wished me a Happy Chanukkah, I wouldn't turn around and tell them how dare they! I'm a Christian!
No, I'd embrace it.
It's important to acknowledge other religions and beliefs and teach our kids about it, like I learned in my elementary school growing up. But it's not ok, and not fair whatsoever, to do it to the complete exclusion of those who celebrate Christmas.
So in my house, it's not Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings or Happy Yuletide Season - it's consistently and unapologetically Merry Christmas, with a giant fat Christmas tree in my front window, a big merry wreath on the door and Christmas tunes blasting every day to the complete ire of my scrooge fiancé.
I don't feel bad about it one bit.
And guess what?
Neither did my Jewish friends who'd come over to my house many times during the Christmas season, to admire the tree, gorge on gingerbread men, while we celebrated my annual Chrismukkah party (a hybrid party where we'd celebrate Christmas and Chanukkah at the same time; they'd bring over a menorah, Chanukkah gelt and we'd light the candle for the night).
And then we all burst into tears and remorse over how utterly offended we were by each other's religion.
Not.
Seriously, can we just celebrate everything, including Christmas?
CM
