By David Spataro Santa Monica
I guess I’m old fashioned. At this time of year, I’m in the habit, quite inveterate, of wishing people a “Merry Christmas.” Now really... I’m not proselytizing for Christianity. I don’t care what faith a person subscribes to; this simply is the way I’m accustomed to greeting people during the Christmas season.
It would be cynical indeed to imagine an ulterior motive for my so doing, and a bit Dickensian. Remember Scrooge? He, of course, was a caricature with his “stake of holly” when approached. However, his relative still wished him well. All this fuss about a traditional salutation is, in my opinion, nonsense. Surely, there are matters of more importance.
Be forewarned: If, by chance, I meet you, I may greet you with the now anachronistic “Merry Christmas,” please don’t take umbrage. I mean no harm. If that’s not acceptable, I’ll employ the weaker and more attenuated “Happy Holidays.” By the way, Happy New Year! Hope that doesn’t have an unfavorable connotation.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 17, 2007. Read the original PDF.