Comments on: Chinese Food, a Movie, and a Question about Christmas Greetings

By: Peggy S

Peggy S — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:24:20 +0000

I agree that the well-wishers mean no harm when they say “Merry Christmas”, but I also think it is an opportunity to sensitize people to the fact that not everyone celebrates Christmas. Sometimes I respond, “I don’t celebrate Christmas, but, Merry Christmas to you!”

I like to hear “Happy Holidays!” because it’s more diverse and how do we know which holiday is celebrated by the stranger.

And today, I like saying “Happy New Year!” to everyone!

By: Deborah W.

Deborah W. — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:54:58 +0000

Hardly anyone will wish you “Merry Christmas” with hostile intent. I usually respond “and Happy New Year!”

Strangers don’t want to know about your religion any more than they want your medical history when they say “How are you?”

By: LGreyhawke

LGreyhawke — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:11:57 +0000

I don’t feel that a hearty Merry Christmas greeting is insensitive or meant to slight me. I try to take it with all the joy and good will that I think the person means to impart. I answer back with a heartfelt Merry Christmas! Acknowleging their beliefs does not diminish mine. If they ask about my holiday plans THEN I elaborate that I am Jewish and celebrate Hannukah. I have had the good fortune to be met only with good wishes and smiles.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:09:45 +0000

I’ve heard a lot more “happy holidays” lately but I think it’s important to take all greetings in the manner they are intended. I just don’t think (in my experience) that anyone who wishes me “Merry Christmas” is trying to maliciously bestow only Christian greetings of the season on me. It’s not as if they are saying… “if you are not christian, then NO joy for you.” If it is a clerk or a stranger on the street for that matter…and they say “merry christmas” I don’t think it’s necessary to stop and get into a philisophical discussion about what religion I am or how I celebrate.

“Thank you and to you too” does just fine.

By: Michael Edelson

Michael Edelson — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:28:40 +0000

Dear Rabbi,
I also heard you on the NPR show, Back Story. I have to agree with you, happy holidays should be fine. In one case though I had to tell the jerk I am Jewish I celebrate Hanukkah and not Christmas. The guy, ringing the Salvation Army bell got angry because I first responded to his Merry Christman statement by saying Happy holidays. He stopped his ringing and wanted to fight me!!!! Now I am handicapped but I can take care of myself especially with my crutches he would have ended up hurting but I prefer not to fight if I truly don’t have to…for me, it sticks now at happy holidays…if they don’t like that they will not like the next phrase that comes out of my mouth more..
Mike, a nice Jewish boy stranded in Lynchburg Va.

By: D'vorah

D'vorah — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:21:19 +0000

I agree with you. I had several clerks wish me a Merry Christmas and I don’t celebrate Christmas. There are many of us Jews who don’t celebrate. Guess I don’t look Jewish enough!! But I do like David, above does.

By: Pat Chambers

Pat Chambers — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:12:56 +0000

This was the first year I knew that there was a “tradition” (note the quotation marks) for Jewish people to eat Chinese food and watch a movie!

I do recall the part in the film “A Christmas Story” where the turkey is devoured by a next-door neighbor’s pack of dogs, causing the family to go out to a Chinese Restaurant to eat. The film to me is a favorite–but despite a certain channel broadcasting it for 24 hours around Christmas, I only watch it once!

Maybe if I find a really good Chinese food place open in my area on Christmas day next year, I might indulge in this newly discovered “tradition”!!

By: David Schwartz

David Schwartz — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:13:04 +0000

I often tell the greater, Hanukkah. They reply “sorry, Happy Hanukkah” and I reply “Merry Christmas”

The majority seems to do it’s best to forget the minority groups among them. I want to remind them we are here and queer – okay , not queer, but you get the point.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 23:45:08 +0000

I agree with you Rabbi! I was actually listening to an NPR program called ‘Back Story’ today about historical perspectives on Christmas. They had Stephen Nissenbaum, author of The Battle for Christmas on. He was also making the case for Hanukkah being a holiday for children that kind of answered the Christmas dilemma for Jewish parents early in the 20th century. I actually found out about your website through that program today. It was enjoyable to be part of a Shabbat service at least virtually! Facebook disappeared on me as I was making a comment tho…oh well. Next time!