The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

We are right smack dab in the middle of the Holiday Season for 2011.  Houses are decorated, gifts are wrapped, and plans with friends and family are being made to spend time together.  Why is it then, that so many people get hung up on being offended?  I've seen several emails and links about how Christmas traditions and the holiday itself were "stolen" from the pagans and that they'd "like their holiday back" or that mainstream folks have no business celebrating with holly, trees, mistletoe, caroling, or any number of other traditions, especially since they don't know the significance of those things.  Really?  First of all, pagan can be many things.  At its heart, it's someone who doesn't follow the religious beliefs of the main world religions.  Some people who identify with paganism don't follow any religious beliefs at all while others are very religious in their interpretation.  Not all religious pagans worship the same gods.  So, who exactly "wants their religion back?"  Did the Christian Priests absorb the traditions of native peoples into their holiday?  You bet they did.  The new gods took the place of the old ones many times in many cultures and this is no exception.  But, there are more of us than you might think who do know exactly where our traditions come from and celebrate them with gusto.  I've also seen a cynical message that states that the holidays are horrible because by encouraging people to be kind at this time of year, it makes it OK to treat others wretchedly the rest of the year.  You've got to be kidding me.  I don't think even Evel Knieval could make that jump!  Who thinks like this?  But my favorite are the people who rant, rave, and shake with suppressed (and not so suppressed) rage against the "Happy Holidays" greeting.  I've heard someone say that the only appropriate greeting for December 25 is "Merry Christmas" and I've heard others say that using "Happy Holidays" is un-American.  I've received invites to boycott stores that have signs that say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" and I've been forced to listen to people rail against the "pc bullshit" that's being forced down their throats and denying their children their rightful heritage.  Seriously?  A store with a sign that says "Happy Holidays" is denying your kids their rightful heritage?  What planet are you on?  First of all, the word holiday comes from holy day, first used in the 12th century to describe a day free from work in recognition of a holy celebration.  Secondly, there are many holidays being celebrated this time of year.  Remember the song The 12 Days of Christmas?  Those 12 days (Christmastide) run from December 25 to January 5 and during that time is St. Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) and Childermas (Feast of the Innocents) which are celebrated in varying ways around the world. Not to mention New Years which we celebrate lavishly in this country.  Let's not forget the big three - Christmas (December 25), Hanukkah (December 20-28 this year. So much for "Merry Christmas" being the only appropriate greeting.) and Kwanza (December 26-January 1).  Acknowledging all of them does not take away from any of them.  I say "Happy Holidays" because I celebrate multiple holidays during this time of year and I don't always know which holiday other people celebrate.  Whatever greeting someone is kind enough to offer me during this season of celebration, I smile and wish them the same.  How hard is it to focus on the best things this season has to offer like celebration of family, culture, and community, freedom to worship as we choose or not to worship at all if that's our choice, being generous to those who aren't as fortunate as we are, and hope for the coming new year?  People behaving badly.