Happy Holidays, Or Is It?

CASSANDRA JAMES, dei manager

Happy Holidays!! Some people get upset when you say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. I’ve heard people say that Happy Holidays is a ploy to erase Christians or Christianity. One of my church members even said years ago, that writing X-mas instead of Christmas is removing Christ from Christmas.  Well, I have good news. Writing X-mas isn’t removing Christ because in the Greek alphabet, X is the symbol for the letter 'chi. ' Chi (or X) is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ.

Also, saying Happy Holidays isn’t an attempt to erase anyone. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s an attempt to be more inclusive.  From December 1st to December 31st, there are a plethora of holidays, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Immaculate Conception, St. Nicholas Day, Feast of Our Lady Guadalupe, Boxing Day, and others. Upon looking at someone you might not be able to tell what they celebrate, so to be respectful and honor the person we say, “Happy Holidays”. 
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This holiday season let’s focus on making our world a better place and assume good intent when someone wishes us a Happy Holiday.  Whatever you celebrate this month, I hope you have the best time with friends, family, and those you love. 

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