Comments on: Interview in Mom Writer’s Literary Magazine and a Riff on “Happy Holidays”

By: The Writer Mama

The Writer Mama — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:47:23 +0000

I definitely agree that the detabe gets old.

I think I must have been missing the discussion going on elsewhere, so I had a little fire going on the topic for a few days.

But I’m pretty much over it.

Hope everyone has holidays that hit every note on the emotional spectrum.

“Happy” holidays doesn’t seem to really cover all it.

By: Julianne

Julianne — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:44:17 +0000

This Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays debate exhausts me. We’ve actually got Merry Christmas ACTIVISTS in the South who are militant about the Happy Holiday wishing that some of us (me–most of the time) go around doing. It makes me want to pull a John Stossel out of my pocket and say, “Give me a break!” and furrow my generous brow at them.

Nice interview Christina. Thanks for sharing.

By: Michael Stelzner

Michael Stelzner — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:54:18 +0000

Hi Linda and Tiffani;

First I want to say Merry Christmas.

I noticed that a few of you mentioned your comments did not go through.

I checked out SpamKarma filter to see if they had been tagged as spam and I do not see any comments from either of you.

I can assure you I would welcome your comments.

Not sure what happened and that is a bit unsettling.

I welcome you back.

Best Regards, Mike

By: Linda Harris

Linda Harris — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:22:13 +0000

Yesterday, while I was buying a sweater for my son for Christmas, the clerk said, “Have a happy holiday.” I automatically replied, “You, too.” I could have said “Merry Christmas” like so many Christian organizations are urging us to do, to “Keep Christ in Christmas.” But to me, that would have seemed stilted and unnatural. I preferred to leave it with his choice of greeting (unless it was the store’s choice, in which case you now know I would object to).

Rebecca, as a Christ-follower, I wouldn’t be offended if you wished me a Blessed Yule. Please don’t categorize all Christians in one lump. We are as diversified within our faith as the variety of faiths that are not Christian.

Christina, I think when most people refer to this as a Christian nation, they are talking about its roots, not the makeup of the nation now. While I don’t want to get into politics, I do believe that this nation’s foundation is Christian, no matter what the mix of faiths now.

Thanks for stimulating a lively discussion.

By: The Writer Mama

The Writer Mama — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:14:48 +0000

No worries, anyone. We are having an interesting discussion here. It caused me to wonder what would happen in the blogosphere if everyone answered the question:

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays–which do you choose and why?

In fact, someone feel free to steal this idea, it would make a great documentary or book, I think, because of all the issues that seem to be attached to such a seemingly simple question.

Fascinating stuff.

By: Tiffani

Tiffani — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:07:12 +0000

Ack! I’m so sorry, Christina!

I should’ve clarified that it was in response to Rebecca Laffar-Smith’s comment above mine: “Watch all those Christians reach for their Cross and pull together some burning stakes.”

I totally understand your view! Sorry for the misunderstanding. (blush)

By: Linda Harris

Linda Harris — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:04:09 +0000

Rebecca, I don’t think it has anything to do with being in the US; I’m from Colorado. Perhaps the White Paper blog just wasn’t feeling well that day.

To clarify, I am a Christ-follower, but I’m not offended by Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings. I’ve heard those phrases since the 1950s (don’t know about before that, because I wasn’t around). If you’re Jewish, I’ll wish you a Happy Hanukkah. If you’re Christian, I’ll wish you a Merry Christmas. If I don’t know what you are, I might say Happy Holidays. To me, it really doesn’t make any difference, as long as we’re wishing each other happy times. As I said in the earlier blog, freedom of speech still applies here.

By: The Writer Mama

The Writer Mama — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:23:28 +0000

Good point, Tiffani. Keep in mind that in my quoted comment above, was in the context of a thread of comments in another blog.

Also, I wanted to clarify, that I am talking about addressing individuals and groups. For example, would it be appropriate for me to say, “Merry Christmas” in this blog if I didn’t also acknowledge all the other holidays clustered around this time of year?

For me, that doesn’t feel comfortable. To the group, I say, Happy Holidays.

Also, i’s not “Christians” I object to, it’s religious perspectives on things not inherently religious. For example, America isn’t called “the melting pot” for nothing. So it’s not true to refer to America as a Christian nation or even to infer that it is. I’m saying that’s not true.

I fully acknowledge that religious choice is very personal matter, appropriately separated from matters of state. What trips my trigger is a person in any religion thinking that their religion is the ONLY valid point of view. I hope that clarifies my thinking.

By: Tiffani

Tiffani — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:18:06 +0000

Nice interview, Christina. I cannot wait for Book No. 2. And I love your comments about “the good mother.” You’re right; we mamas are the ones who should decide what’s good and good enough for our families. Not some myth.

By: Tiffani

Tiffani — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:06:57 +0000

I have to disagree with the above generalization of Christians. I have no problem if someone says “Blessed Yule” or “Happy Hanukkah.” What a great way to learn something new about friends and neighbors. I say “Merry Christmas.” Why should you or I deny what we are celebrating? I don’t want it to be one generic, catch-all season when we can only say “Happy Holidays.” Where’s the diversity in that?