Happy _____

Can someone tell me when "Happy Holidays" become offensive?

I worked my first retail Christmas in 1993. Even then, it was suggested we say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Fine by me. But I just don't get why this year it's become not just divisive, it's become combative. I said "Happy Holidays" to someone yesterday and got an icy-glared, squinty-eyed, focused "Merry Christmas" in return. Sunday, our little gathering of gay men gleefully gulping down Starbucks' best was praised by a parishoner (who, admittedly, might have needed to lay off the eggnog) for responding in kind to her wishes of a "Merry Christmas."

It seems like this has become the latest attempt to divide people in an us-and-them fashion. I've got news for you: I'm a Christian. I celebrate Christmas, and I lament its over-commercialization. But there is no Biblical proof that Jesus was born December 25 — in fact, the Scriptures suggest it possibly happened in spring. The date was set (and traditions re-appropriated) to help win over celebrants of the Winter Solstice, and to place the Feast of the Holy Name on the first day of the new year. There is nothing magical about the date of December 25, save to serve as an reminder of the Birth.

Ponder this: If you're off work next Monday, are you getting Christmas pay? Or Hanukkah pay? Or Kwanzaa pay? No. It's HOLIDAY pay. I told people to have a good holiday over Thanksgiving, and I don't get why it's suddenly politically incorrect to say the same thing a month later. It's to the point I'd almost rather not use any seasonal greeting or departure message...