I kind of hate the term "happy holidays," as many conservative Christians do.
In terms of greetings, there's a "made in China" feel of cheapness to it. Like the Ikea furniture of sayings, trying to exist in the same space as intricately hand-carved mahogany furniture.
But that's kind of the point. It's a substitute for something far more real. You can dress it up as a statement that allows for more "inclusion" all the live-long day, but in reality, "Happy Holidays" is all about avoidance. It's a thing you say when you want to experience the joy of the festivities without acknowledging the reason behind it.
And if you're one of those people, "Merry Christmas" is probably a scary thing to say. It invokes the name of the King of Kings, and acknowledges the existence of the birth of someone whom it's considered a faux pax to openly acknowledge in pop society. Saying His name in the wrong place can trigger a multitude of negative reactions that can result in a multitude of different punishments.
In some places, you'll be sneered at, asked to use different languages to describe the festivities, or possibly a lecture about inclusivity or how your sky daddy doesn't actually exist.
In other places, you could be hanged, beheaded, or burned to death.
The name of "Christ" carries with it a certain power that either brings peace and confidence or fear and loathing. Uttering the name can cause blood pressure to rise, people to get nervous, and others to get defensive. It causes the evil in people to act out in rebellion, and it can also bring them crashing to their knees in remorse and repentance.
There is power in the name Jesus Christ, and the less it's spoken in a world where evil is trying its very best to thrive, the better. So those who see Jesus as a threat to their authority — whatever that authority might look like — work to make a social atmosphere where boldly uttering His name is something to be avoided.
To say "Merry Christmas" is to invoke and declare your support for that authority. They try to say "Happy Holidays" is about being kind to those who don't celebrate the Christian reason for the season, but what it really boils down to is a fear of meaning.
Notice that no other religion is asked to reframe its verbiage to make room for others to find their own meaning in it. Muslims aren't asked to rename Ramadan to "Spring Reflection Month." No one demands Jewish people stop saying "Happy Hanukkah" and instead say "Happy Eight Crazy Nights," though Adam Sandler would probably love the royalties from it. No one demands that Diwali celebrators say "happy oil lamp day."
Only Christians are told to soften and neutralize their language. Only Christians are pushed to remove the core individual that comprises the whole point of the celebration from the celebration altogether.
And why not? For those who hate God or don't want to acknowledge Jesus as sovereign, "Merry Christmas" is more terrifying than insulting.
Look at it this way.
Christ means "Anointed One," stemming from the Greek word "Christos." It's the Greek translation of the word "Mashiach," or Messiah. The term "Merry Christmas" is effectively the acknowledgment, or even declaration, that the rightful ruler of the world, the prophesied savior, has arrived.
That's a pretty terrifying thing to hear if you're a demon, a fallen angel, or someone who relishes the evil in their heart. It's like a child that's been misbehaving and acting like a brat hearing "daddy's home," but on a cosmic scale. So the pressure to not remind them is put on you. Sing your songs about snow, jingle your bells, and get your mistletoe kisses in, but please don't mention the name of the most terrifying entity in the universe. It harshes the vibe!
But that's exactly why you should say it. He is here. It's the truth. He was born, crucified, then rose again, and now He's waiting for the word "go" from His Father to put the matter of His people's suffering to bed once and for all. It's a joyous thing to proclaim. You're celebrating the fact that you're free and waiting for His arrival with the others who gave themselves to Him.
So here's a big ol' MERRY CHRISTMAS for you.
