(By Grant Gravagna, News Editor)

As December descends upon us yet again, we experience what is touted to be the most joyous season: the winter holidays.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” as they say, full of music, traditions and high spirits.

However, one issue continues to rear its ugly head year after year: whether to go with the “safe” choice of “Happy Holidays,” or its oft-shunned cousin “Merry Christmas.”

For those unfamiliar with the debate, allow me to bring you up to speed. On one side, some believe that the use of “Merry Christmas” is offensive to those who do not celebrate the holiday.

The other side, though, believes that by saying “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings,” you are not truly acknowledging the Christmas holiday.

I understand where both sides are coming from. I can see their perspective. But are either viewpoints right? Not exactly.

However, that doesn’t matter. Debating the use of various greetings is a moot point, and a controversy that should not even exist.

Have we really become so sensitive to the world around us?

If, for instance, you’re an atheist, and someone, unaware of this fact, wishes you a “Happy Hanukkah,” I see no reason to feel offended. The other person certainly was not wishing you ill will, and likely was not looking to affront you. Odds are, he or she was just being polite… just attempting to make your day even the slightest bit better.

Likewise, for those who are offended by terms such as “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” and feel that those who use these greetings aren’t acknowledging Christmas, this just isn’t so.

It’s not inappropriate for public employees to use “Happy Holidays.” It’s not inappropriate for a store’s promotional material to say “Season’s Greetings.”

Really, it’s not.

When we object, we become no better than the Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge. Yet at the same time, there is no War on Christmas. These greetings are all-encompassing, no matter your religious views or beliefs, hence their ever-so common usage.

This is a debate that should be put to rest.

No matter which side you’re on, with any case of mistaken religious identity that you may come across this holiday season, just take the kind greeting in stride, return the acknowledgement, and move on.

For those who insist on perpetuating this conflict, well, it’s a Festivus for the rest of us.

(Photo by Sebastian Ballard via Wikimedia Commons)