When you walk up to the counter at a shop and pay for your gift, does the salesperson usually say “Happy Holidays!” or “Merry Christmas?”

With each passing holiday season, it seems as though fewer and fewer people are saying Merry Christmas. Is this because nobody celebrates Christmas anymore, or because we are so afraid to offend someone that we are pushing our own personal beliefs aside?

The reason that this season is titled the holiday season is because there are several different traditional celebrations that occur in December, many of which have religious significance. So when I hear someone say “Happy Holidays!” I understand that, for the most part, they are trying to be inclusive. That doesn’t bother me; what bothers me is the people who are trying to remove Christ from Christmas.

I get the rising suspicion that people have forgotten what Christmas is truly about, and so I’d like to refresh people. It was not created by Hallmark. It is not another avenue to spend countless dollars on material things to express love and affection. It’s about celebrating Jesus Christ, the son of God, coming into the world. Jesus would make the incredible sacrifice of giving up his life, so that people have the opportunity to have their sins forgiven and, when they pass, go to heaven. To most Christians, this is a day of incredible significance. Although Jesus’ date of birth may not have been December 25th, it has been traditionally linked to celebrating his birth for many years.

I don’t believe anyone has the right to take this holiday away from Christians. If a group of Catholics were to campaign against celebrating Hannukah, chaos would ensue. I have a hard time appreciating efforts that preach “inclusiveness” while trying to shove their beliefs, or lack of beliefs, onto another person. It’s unfair to expect Christians to give up their sacred holiday because it makes you uncomfortable. I would also like to know the number of people who want to remove Christ from Christmas, yet still continue to celebrate the Hallmark version of buying presents, decorating the house, and spending time with family.

Furthermore, the word “holiday” in general means “holy day,” and people began wishing others Happy Holidays as they were celebrating days of religious significance.

Wishing people “Happy Holidays” is completely acceptable, because no-one wants to feel that their holiday tradition is not accepted. There’s nothing wrong with using inclusive language, and every type of holiday celebration is valid and wonderful. However, Christmas wouldn’t exist without Jesus Christ, and so he deserves to stay a part of it.