When I say Merry Christmas in public, I’m often rewarded with an Oh, that’s right, your generation doesn’t know any better look, and a corrective “Happy Holidays.”
Just for the record, I do know better.
The Christmases I grew up with were nearly as secular as our modern “Happy Holidays.” True, back then department store employees, whether Christian, Buddhist or agnostic, said Merry Christmas when they handed you your hula hoop or argyle socks. But most of the time it had no more spiritual meaning than when an atheist says “goodbye” (Old English for “God be with ye”).
Likewise, although my Christmases were filled with food, decorations and gift-giving, they were missing the Person the holi-day is about. We celebrated the day but not the holy.
This isn’t a political statement, btw. I honestly don’t care whether store clerks say Merry Christmas or not (many still do). I’m just looking for a chance to talk about why I do. When I wish people a Merry Christmas and they look askance, I want them to ask me why. Because after growing up saying those words without knowing their true meaning, I love sharing what they mean to me now!
I don’t want to impose my beliefs on others, I just want them to have the joy I have! And when I say Merry Christmas, it’s not because I’m an insensitive boob (well, not in this case anyway), it’s because “Merry Christmas” isn’t a secret handshake, it’s an announcement of “good news of great joy for all people.” (Luke 2:10).
If I had a package for you that contained a million dollars, but you didn’t believe it contained a million dollars, I’d still want to give it to you. In fact I’d be even more excited about giving it to you. Have you ever seen someone open a box that contained a gift far more valuable than they were expecting? 
There’s nothing better!
So Merry Christmas from your friend Mitch…
the insensitive boob!
Merry Christmas, Mitch.
Thanks, John.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Jamey!
As far as I know there are no insensitive boobs on this blog. I hope Santa brought you what you wanted and that your Christmas was a memorable one. When I lived in Latvia we also had Second Christmas on Dec 26 but my darling mother-in-law provided the best fun of all, She celebrated Orthodox Christmas in January so I found myself and my husband buying another Christmas tree and doing it all over again, However, the memories do shine bright,
Lovely memories indeed, Rasma.
Merry Christmas! xo
Aw, thank you, Sandy! <3
Christmas blessings, my friend.
Thank you, my Anonymous friend.
Joy, Mitch, and much of it, on this Christmas day. Along with hope, Love and Peace. May the gift of our Saviour’s birth always be in that box!
Amen, Gail!
Mas Godol Haya Shem. (A miracle has happened here) thanks Mitch
תודה!
I quite often say both 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and yours Mitch
Thank you, June!
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones ❣️
Aw, thank you, Luisa. <3
I don’t understand why people get offended yet they still partake of the festivity.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you so much, Iba.
Merry Christmas from your reader, Delaine. I have had to blowback from that greeting. Nor have I felt I have offended anyone. And, I have received lots of Merry Christmases in return which make the spirits bright. Maybe, just maybe, this year things have turned? We all need a Merry Christmas.
Maybe. Thanks and blessings, Delaine.
Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Joseph!
Hi Mitch, merry christmas! 🙂 Kind regards, Dario
Thank you, Dario!
Merry Christmas!!!
Thanks, Andrew!
” … when an atheist says “goodbye” (Old English for “God be with ye”).” Interesting point. I think more of our language than we realize is based on Judeo-Christian beliefs. Folklore or fact, I read recently that the Puritans used to use the greeting, “Heaven is high,” and respond with “… and hell is low.” Over time the greetings got shortened to just “hi” and “hello.” There’s even a Puritan origin of the popular word beginning with “F,” but I’ll leave that trivia for another day …
;>)
Merry Christmas!
Thank you, CJ!
Merry Christmas to you and yours Mitch!
Likewise! Is that you, Jeff?
Merry Christmas, Mitch. I love this post, I also say Merry Christmas to share the joy I have in the real reason for the season.
Thank you, Carla!
Merry Christmas, Mitch.
Thank you, Iman.
Merry Christmas, Mitch! I hope you and yours are having a fantastic holiday!
We are, trE. Wishing you the same, dear friend!
Thank you kindly!
❤
Merry Christmas to you as well. Even during my years toiling in the retail trenches, I always said “Merry Christmas.” Even when I had to stand silent through lectures from customers informing me that Target was a French company that catered to gay people and pretty much mandated that all trans people use the incorrect bathrooms and endanger the children.
Oy. Good on you for keeping the spirit of goodwill alive, Ken!
Merry Christmas, Mitch, and best wishes for a wonderful 2025. 🙂
Likewise, Nancy!
Merry Christmas season to you and yours, Mitch!
Thank you, Carol!
True Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 Mitch! 🎉
Thank you, Ramani!
Thanks, Mitch, for a million dollar post and I hope your Christmas was merry.
It was, Pam, and I hope the same was true for you.
Merry Christmas
Likewise, Maja.
Merry Christmas to you too Mitch. Hope you had a good one. 🙂
Thank you, Jeanne, and I did.
You are very welcome. 🙂
Fantastic! There are origins for the things we say absentmindedly (literally).
Merry Christmas, Mitch, and many blessings to you, my friend.
Thank you so much, and likewise, Pete.
Merry Christmas Mitch. I’m okay being an insensitive boob!
It’s a pretty big club, I hear. ;>) Thanks, Gregory.
I believe you cannot impose your beliefs on someone else. Anybody who feels that way only feels threatened because their own beliefs are too weak to face a challenge or different belief system.
I’m not a religious person but I grew up celebrating and loving Christmas. I too always say Merry Christmas along with the Happy Holidays as a custom.
😍
Merry Christmas, Mitch!–Christopher
Thank you, Christopher, and a Happy New Year to you!
Hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas!
We did. Likewise, and Happy New Year, Peggy!
Thank you, Mitch, Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thank you, Peggy, and likewise to you and yours!