So, we made it through another Christmas, and 2011 is finally here. In recent years, some people have become persnickety about saying “Merry Christmas,” and others have been incensed at folks who won’t say “Merry Christmas” and insist on just saying “Happy Holidays,” instead, so as not to offend anyone. This “politically correct” attitude makes it difficult to wish people a simple Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Wikipedia tells us that “ ‘Happy Holidays’ is a collective and inclusive wish for the period encompassing Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Winter solstice, Christmas Day (The Nativity of the Lord), Boxing Day (St. Stephen’s Day), the New Year and Epiphany.”
The word holiday derived from the notion of “Holy Day,” and gradually evolved to its current form. The word holiday comes from the Old English word haligdæg. The word originally referred only to special religious days. In modern use, it means any special day of rest or relaxation, as opposed to normal days away from work or school.
We also find that some people prefer to greet others during the festive season using “Season’s Greetings,” so as not to acknowledge any event as a holy day. If you are in question as to how to greet or respond to the Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays quandary when next year rolls around, I think this one will cover all angles. Our clever friend, Rich, sent a funny greeting on Christmas Day, and I couldn’t help but share this one, so here goes!
“Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.
“I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2011, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country, nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.
“By accepting these greetings, you consent to receive them electronically. This pertains solely to these greetings, and does not change the way you receive other greetings.
“By accepting these greetings, you are accepting the aforementioned terms as stated. This greeting is not subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself/himself/others, and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.”
There you have it! But as for me, I still want to extend a simple thank you to all who enjoy my column throughout the year and wish everyone a Happy New Year!
Deb Drinkwalter is a Lockport resident. Her column appears every Sunday. Contact her at d.drinkwalter@yahoo.com.
Deb Drinkwalter
Related Photos
-
Deb Drinkwalter is a Lockport resident. Her column appears every Sunday. Contact her at d.drinkwalter@yahoo.com.
DRINKWALTER: The year 2011 is finally here
- Deb Drinkwalter
-
-
DRINKWALTER: As for the birds ... fascinating lore
There isn’t much wildlife to look at outside this wintry time of year, since we don’t have our bird feeders filled; the only signs of life in our yard have been a few squirrels and some large black birds skulking around the yard.
-
DRINKWALTER: Does going to church make you fat?
Every week, our church prides itself in the after-church coffee hour experience. Volunteers bring cookies and other goodies to serve with coffee, tea and juice for fellowship after the church service.
-
DRINKWALTER: I had the flu shot, so why am I sick?
I had to clear the cobwebs out of my head to write today’s column. I just recovered from an awful cold. You may remember the 1945 movie, “The Lost Weekend,” with Ray Milland and Jane Wyman. I spent an entire day on the couch, kind of in that “The Lost Weekend” state.
-
DRINKWALTER: Storms grip the Northeast!
The days when the sun shines on the bright, white snow make you realize that spring is just around the corner. I can feel it; as the days get longer, my energy level and spirits are beginning to soar.
-
DRINKWALTER: ’Twas the Month After Christmas
So here we are again, wrapping up several months of feeding frenzy and wondering why our clothes are so tight.
-
DRINKWALTER: No double-dipping for Chessie
No dipping! I say that a lot. You might think I’m referring to someone using chewing tobacco
-
DRINKWALTER: The year 2011 is finally here
So, we made it through another Christmas, and 2011 is finally here.
-
DRINKWALTER: ‘So there was this pirate and this nun ...’
As the winter doldrums approaches, it’s good to make a point of getting out and about, even if we don’t feel like it. Of course, we do tend to get sick more often during rainy or snowy weather.
-
DRINKWALTER: SAD-ly the Winter blues cometh
Here we go again! Today is the end of Daylight Saving Time, or should I say the beginning of winter blues. Most of us find daylight savings time changes confusing. Just remember in the fall we fall back; in the spring we spring forward.
-
DRINKWALTER: Halloween for saints or sinners?
Today is Halloween. It was my favorite occasion as a child and my mom used to say that before summer even began, I already started talking about what I wanted to be for Halloween.
- More Deb Drinkwalter Headlines
-
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
