Merry Christmas: I Said What I Said

There was a time when Christmas felt sacred - not just as a religious holiday, but as a shared moment of peace, joy, and reflection for everyone. Streets were quiet, stores were closed, and families came together around dinner tables rather than shopping carts. It wasn’t about consumerism or convenience. It was about community and connection.

Today, it feels like we’ve lost some of that magic. Christmas has become another day on the retail calendar — and worse, a topic people tiptoe around for fear of offending someone. Saying “Merry Christmas” — once a universal greeting of goodwill — has somehow become controversial. Too many people have been made to feel that celebrating the birth of Christ openly is something they should keep to themselves.

Let’s be clear: religious tolerance is a good thing. It’s part of what makes America special. We live in a country where people can worship freely - or not at all - and that’s something to be proud of. But tolerance should never mean erasure.

Christmas is, at its heart, a Christian holiday. It’s a celebration of faith, hope, and redemption. It’s part of our cultural and spiritual foundation as a nation. Acknowledging and celebrating that doesn’t take away from anyone else’s beliefs. It simply honors our own.

If you celebrate Chanukah — wonderful. I hope your menorah burns bright with family and joy.
If you celebrate Kwanzaa — that’s beautiful. I hope it brings meaning and reflection.
And if you don’t celebrate any holiday at all — that’s fine too.

But if I say “Merry Christmas” to you, please understand it for what it is — a warm wish, from my heart to yours, in the spirit of my faith. It’s not meant to exclude; it’s meant to bless. I won’t be offended if you respond with “Happy Chanukah,” or “Happy Holidays,” or anything else — as long as we exchange it in kindness, not correction.

We’ve reached a point where it seems easier to be offended than to be grateful. But that’s not who we are, and it’s not who we should be. The beauty of America is that we can each live out our beliefs openly and respectfully. We don’t need to erase Christmas to make room for other traditions. There’s space enough for all of us.

So this year, let’s get back to the basics: family, faith, gratitude, and goodwill. Let’s bring back the joy of wishing one another happiness without hesitation. Let’s remember that Merry Christmas isn’t a political statement. It’s an expression of love, peace, and hope - something we could all use a little more of.

Merry Christmas, America. May we never be afraid to say it.