Wake UP!: Why I Say Happy Holidays

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Out Impact presents Out Impact Friday, July 17th, 2009 in Wilmington, NC at The Soapbox featuring headliner Kyler England, with Mark Kano, known as the lead singer of Athenaeum; Vonrenzo from New York City and Wilmington’s Politics of Confession. Tickets are $5 and partial proceeds benefit Coastal Horizons Rape Crisis Center.

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Wake UP!: Why I Say Happy Holidays

Submitted by Chardon on Friday, 19 December 2008No Comment

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Wake UP!: Progressive Punditry and Action Alerts for the Apathetic Advocate

by Chardon Moore

It’s the time of year for Christmas lights, both the skillful and the sloppy, the breathtaking and the profane (who on God’s Green Earth needs 100 creepy light up Santas marching in a row towards Jesus’ manger? Apparently somebody in Hampstead, North Carolina).

It’s the time of year for kindness and giving, as well as selfishness and consumerism. It’s the time of year when you enjoy the company of your family, or you try hard not to blow your brains out because you’re desperately alone. To be the “most wonderful time of the year…” it sure is conflicted.

It’s also the holiest time of year for Christianity, Judaism, Kwanza, various Pagan religions, and depending on the Islamic Calendar year, sometimes Islam. And lest we not forget Festivus, for the rest of us. (If you don’t get that, you need to watch some Seinfeld reruns.)

By the way, this brilliant pie chart is not my doing, but rather stolen from anonymous sources on the net. If it’s yours, thanks for letting us use it!

[By the way, this brilliant pie chart is not my doing, but rather stolen from anonymous sources on the net. If it’s yours, thanks for letting us use it!]

So my question is, when did “Happy Holidays!” become a f*ck you to all of Christianity? I’m down with the fact that we are a predominantly Christian nation. However, in the past decade or so, any attempt to incorporate all religious practices in any activity has suddenly become an attack on Christianity. Never mind that America was supposed to be a tolerant “melting-pot” of cultures.

Ben Stein wrote a very funny and quite poignant essay a couple of years ago, and included the following words: “It doesn’t bother me a bit when people say ‘Merry Christmas’ to me. I don’t think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto.”

Good for Ben, but he’s missing the point. The reason I say Happy Holidays” “is not to ensure that I’m not offending anyone. It’s to make sure that I’m wishing them happiness no matter what holiday they choose to practice. I’m INCORPORATING them, I’m including them, I’m making sure that even if they don’t share my beliefs, they know I’m hoping their holidays go smashingly. Jesus was meant to symbolize love and acceptance, not seclusion and isolationism.

Christians need to realize the holiday season is not all about them, or even all about Jesus (Gasp! Blasphemy!) Hear me out…Christmas is supposed to celebrate Jesus’ birth, which heralded an era of tolerance and mercy in God’s reign. Trust me… Old Testament God was one tough cookie. New Testament God, following the birth of his son, was a kindler, gentler God. Christians are supposed to be happy about the birth of their savior, but more than anything, they’re supposed to think about what they can do on this earth to live by his example and help others.

It’s about doing good deeds for others, appreciating what you have, and spending time with family. It’s about good will towards all men, whether they agree with you or not. I was raised a Southern Baptist, and my Grandfather is a Southern Baptist Minister (don’t judge…he’s awesome. He’s been in the ACLU longer than I have!). However, I’ve never felt slighted if somebody says “Happy Holidays” to me. No one else should, either.

So during this holiday season, I will be saying “Happy Holidays” as often as I can. I’m going to say it to Christians and Jews, Muslims and Pagans, Atheists and Agnostics, and everyone in between. Besides, it’s what Jesus would do.

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Chardon Moore Wake Up! political commentary columnist Out Impact gay online magazine

About Chardon Moore:
Chardon Moore is a political junkie, LGBT ally, and the webmistress of LiberalMartyr.com. She’s been a human and civil rights activist for over a decade, as well as working in broadcast media, academia, and state government. She now lives in Raleigh with her longtime boyfriend and young daughter.

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Out Impact is your gay online magazine for gay men and women in the LGBTQ community and our allies, encouraging readers to create a positive impact in the gay community. Our content focuses on activism/philanthropy; expert advice for your professional life; pet care by leading experts; a yoga/wellness column in health, spirituality and wellness; as well as columns in food, comics, fashion, an expert travel specialist; engaging features in the arts and more. We have movie, music and book reviews, as well as the latest interviews. Out Impact also produces events benefiting various non-profits around the country, as well as comprehensive media campaigns to raise awareness for various philanthropic causes while bridging the non-profit, activism, artistic and gay communities. OutImpact.com – Making a positive impact in the gay community. Make yours.

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