Should Christians say "Happy Holidays"

Picture this, you're at a store in December and the cashier says to you, "Happy holidays." There are a lot of different ways you could react to this seasonal salutation, but you're not likely to act surprised. Saying "happy holidays" is common these days, especially in stores, on the radio or over social media. What would happen, though, if this exchange between you and the cashier took place at a Christian book store? How about if you heard "happy holidays" on Christian radio? How would you react if you heard "happy holidays" at church...from the pastor? Now, that might be surprising. It may even raise this question: Should Christians say "happy holidays"?

To be fair, "happy holidays" rolls off one's tongue a little bit easier than the cramming of consonants that is "merry Christmas." Just because something is easy, though, doesn't necessarily mean it's worth doing. It's easy for someone to ignore Jesus and keep the course of their life, but doing so would be the greatest mistake they could make (Luke 9:57-62). There's also a lot of joy that can come from overcoming a difficult obstacle. Jesus says, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God," (Mark 10:25). Despite this, Christians continue to preach to the greedy, knowing Jesus did "not come to call the righteous, but sinners," (Mark 2:17). Think about how audiences still cheer when rich man Ebenezer Scrooge is born again on Christmas day (yes, it's a fictional example, but it's also festive). So, just because "happy holidays" is less of a tongue tier than "merry Christmas," doesn't mean it's a better seasonal salutation.

Some people dislike hearing "merry Christmas," and that might
be because the world hates Christ (John 15:18). Now, Christians
should not be ashamed to speak Christ (Romans 1:16), and
should also be gentle with their words (Galatians 5:22-23).

Now, what if a Christian said "happy holidays," and truly meant to wish that others have enjoyable holidays, more than just the big one on December 25th? That would be interesting, but it would not go against Biblical precedent. Paul wrote to Christians who were being ridiculed for celebrating certain Jewish and Gentilic festivals saying, "do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day," (Colossians 2:16). It wasn't morally wrong for one of the Christians in Colossi to celebrate Passover and Easter. It's not disobedient to God for anyone to take part in Christmas or its neighboring festivities (in fact celebrating Saint Lucia's Day on December 13th has some Biblical value). If a Christian were to truly wish another person "happy holidays," doing so would not be a sin.

Even though Christians can say "happy holidays," this doesn't mean Christians should say it. Christians can certainly say, "'I have the right to do anything,” but not everything is beneficial," (1 Corinthians 10:23). A big reason Christians may want to avoid saying "happy holidays" is because it implies that all celebrations in December have equal value. It's rather disingenuous for a Christian to imply that embracing the birth of their savior has as much merit as ringing in the calendar new year. If someone had a birthday on Valentine's day, then it wouldn't be wrong on February 14th to wish them "fun festivities." Wishing them that alone, though, is inconsiderate, since the obvious celebration that matters more to them was not acknowledged. Here in December, the value behind Christmas obviously matters more than other winter holidays, and it definitely should for Christians. Christmas reminds people of the Gospel message, while all other winter celebrations center around lesser things. Honoring Jesus is more important than honoring something else, and (let's all face it) Jesus is the reason for the season.

Jesus is the reason

We celebrate the season

Christmas is the birth of our King

And, Christmas isn't Christmas

Without the love of Jesus

He is the reason that we sing

- Tom Brooks

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Got Questions: War on Christmas
• Tom Brooks: Super Duper Christmas