Merry Christmas

Does telling everyone a 'Merry Christmas' constitute an act of evangelization, a dangerous nod to those delusional cultists who believe in hope, love, and some savior humbly born? I'm not sure. To me it seems overblown - this notion of protecting Christmas from wild-eyed secular professors, Jewish children, and down-at-the-mouth masses who can't explain what they believe. I'm just not convinced they pose a credible threat to the institution.

Certainly the United States has a strongly Christian heritage, but I see nothing wrong with - in the interests of harmony - putting it the way George and Laura did on the card this year (which I received, thank you): Happy Holidays. At least when it comes to public discourse I think a note of inclusion is fair.

But on a personal basis I've enjoyed telling everyone I meet this year 'Merry Christmas'. I had the opportunity to help in a soup kitchen in Over-the-Rhine a few days ago, and in that setting the words seemed more comforting than the coffee and hot lunch being served. And on Wisconsin Ave. here in Washington DC where we are spending the holidays - 'Merry Christmas' to everyone in the more-international crowd that streams the sidewalks and chokes the upscale stores. Maybe it's just my subjective opinion - and maybe that's the point - but the words ring with a clear note of promise.