No matter your religious background, your race, ethnicity, or culture, there’s a high chance you’ve heard about the holiday Christmas, even if you don’t personally celebrate it. With its first recorded celebration in 336 AD, Christmas is a worldwide celebration rooted in the birth of Christ, also known as Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.
The word “Christmas” is a combination of “Christ” and “mass,” both correlating to Christian tradition, which explains why some people feel the need to replace the word with “Holidays” or abbreviate it as “Xmas.” Although these alternatives are meant to be inclusive, they aren’t always necessary.
Over time, the theme of Christmas has drifted further from religion and is more associated with a time of joy, nostalgia, and cheer. The belief and tradition of Santa Claus began in the early 19th century, according to the St. Tammany Parish Library. Multiple Christmas Advertisements in newspapers and stores began to include Santa Claus, and he became a prominent figure for the Holiday. The belief that Santa was the one who delivered presents on Christmas Eve became widespread among children, inspiring good behavior and making Christmas a most anticipated time of the year.
It goes to show that Christmas doesn’t have to be a religious holiday in order to celebrate it, as it’s been inclusive and festive without mentions of Christian tradition. In fact, most Christmas music and traditions follow the tales that come with the celebration, for example, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey, “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee, etc.
Christmas isn’t just limited to Christians; for decades, families of different backgrounds have embraced it and built traditions around it. It can be argued that “Happy Holidays” is meant to recognize other holidays around winter, which is understandable. But, choosing between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” often depends on the situation. Unless someone expresses a preference, using the traditional greeting shouldn’t be an issue.
At the same time, the replacement of “Christmas” has frustrated Christians who value the holiday’s meaning, diminishing the purpose of abbreviating or replacing. I believe keeping the name “Christmas,” as we’d do with any other religious holiday, respects its origins and significance.
This doesn’t mean “Happy Holidays” is off the map. It just means that depending on your beliefs and how you celebrate, you don’t have to make it a default, especially if Christmas holds a special meaning to you.
