Meppy Hanzaa, Seappy Grolukkah or even Meason’s Greholukkah?

Meppy Hanzaa?

If you are hell bent and focused on being ‘Politically Correct’ (especially at this time of year) you may want to stop reading this article here.

I originally sat down to pen a letter of warm wishes and ‘Holiday/Season’s Wishes’ but my article seems to have grown to be far more in-depth than I had originally intended. My intention is not to offend, or even to be Politically Correct, it is just to be heard.

As you will read, I am an incredibly fortunate man. Every year around this time, I receive hundreds of ‘Merry Christmas’, ‘Happy Hanukkah’, ‘Happy Holidays’ and ‘Season’s Greetings’ cards and emails from friends and colleagues from around the world (thank you Internet). I have not met, nor will probably ever meet the majority of them. Every card and comment is always welcomed. I believe each message was sent with one thought in mind, to wish me and my family the very best at this time of year.

While I rarely know the personal or religious beliefs of the senders (nor do they know mine), I know one thing for sure and that is the simple fact that they have each taken the time to wish me and my loved ones well and that we have been thought of.

Whether they say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa, or whatever message they find comfort in sending, the message to me (as I read it) is the same. They are taking the time out of their busy day to express that I have been thought of and that they wish me well. And for that I am thankful and appreciative.

Standard and safe ‘Holiday or Season’s Greetings’ is a greeting that is often sent or spoken with kind intentions to strangers, family, or friends; in nations around the world during the months of December and January. Unfortunately some people get caught up in the ‘Political Correctness’ of the message rather than focus on the goal of the message that was meant. As long as we wish something nice – does it really matter what it is? I am not offended when someone tells me Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas or Happy Kwanzaa or Happy Anything. I figure at the very least, they are wishing me well.

Belief in such things as Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa is a gift to the one who believes it. They hold the gift of that belief. They simply wish to share that gift with others and I believe no offense is meant in giving it. Like all gifts, they can be accepted or declined. I see no reason to become offended because someone wanted to share their gift with you. You have free choice and you can just accept it or decline it.

I have never had the opportunity to practice Judaism, I will never have the experience of being an African American nor have I worshiped Allah; I’m not Wiccan and yet I still don’t take offense to the manner in which someone chooses to be nice to me during these very dark and cold days of the year.

Anyone wishing me happiness and cheer at any time gets my recognition and appreciation. I have always said ‘Merry Christmas’ to people in general, and while it may not be ‘PC’, I don’t recall anyone ever taking offense. If they are uncomfortable, then of course I’m sorry that they’re missing the message behind my Christmas Wishes.

Only by understanding and respecting other beliefs and cultures, which are often very different to our own, will we grow. At some point in all our individual family trees, we all came from somewhere else other than where we live now.

We are all brothers and sisters on this planet celebrating and recognizing what should be a happy time of year. I personally welcome that there is both a nativity scene on display at a local shopping mall near my home and not too far away is the Menorah on display, not more than a hundred feet away.

Regardless of our personal or religious beliefs, it is the time of year to take a minute out of our busy schedules to think of and pray for the less fortunate; namely the military men and women that are not home with their loved ones this year, those less fortunate and those that have larger fights at hand with their own personal challenges.

Hopefully the remaining December and coming New Year WILL be bright for everyone.

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read my comments and if I have offended you, I would love to hear from you. Did I cross a line in sending my heartfelt holiday greeting or would you rather I played it safe and not send a greeting at all and have just waited to wish you a Happy New Year?

Why don’t we just invent a new word for this time of year and try to keep everybody happy? Maybe something like: