Holiday Greetings spread joy, cheer, love and a little bit of magic

A. Marie Hamilton
Posted 11/30/22

TORRINGTON – The holiday season is upon us and one thing for certain is it tends to bring out a unique kind of spirit only found during the month of December.

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Holiday Greetings spread joy, cheer, love and a little bit of magic

Posted

TORRINGTON – The holiday season is upon us and one thing for certain is it tends to bring out a unique kind of spirit only found during the month of December.

Regardless of what you celebrate and/or believe in, most holidays in December center around some sort of miracle with a sprinkle of magic.

There’s been a push from some Americans who suggest to be “inclusive” and not offensive of the different beliefs and faiths, we must say “Happy Holiday’s,” or a variation thereof.

However, this Jew will tell you, it makes no difference to me when you say “Feliz Navidad”, “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah,” “Happy Holidays,” “Seasons Greetings,” “Happy Yule,” and/or “Happy Kwanzaa.”

The gift of the spirit this season isn’t in which salutation the gifter, or speaker, is giving – but in the spirit of which they are giving it.

The gift is that they felt so inclined to offer me a cheerful, lovely, spirited holiday salutation from the warmth of their heart in their expression of holiday spirit. What’s not to love about receiving such a precious gift?

Let me ask you, If you were to color a rainbow, would you use just one crayon color? How boring is that? How inexpressive is it? That certainly doesn’t depict the full picture, does it?

Why then, would we expect to color our lives in the same manner?

Isn’t it more offensive and less inclusive to require everyone to say “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” instead of being exposed to other cultures and holidays from our neighbors and community members?

Each one of us and our traditions, our differing backgrounds and beliefs makes up this magnificent rainbow, how dreadful would it be if we made it with one singular color?

As a Jew, if someone offers me a holiday greeting, such as “Merry Christmas,” I will of course respond in kind; my expression in return does not at all reflect my beliefs or traditions, it merely extends the holiday cheer back to the gifter. Nor does my response in any way shape or form harm me or undermine my Jewishness; this goes for everyone. It costs us nothing to repay the kind gift of a holiday greeting. The person's expression of holiday greetings also does make any attempt to push their beliefs on us or attempt to convert us. It’s a simple holiday salutation, nothing more and nothing less.

Although some may choose to respond with their own holiday greeting, such as “Happy Kwanzaa” or “Happy Yule,” which is acceptable too, when done in the holiday spirit. However, if done in a passive aggressive manner, it can quickly become something a little less warm.

If someone wishes you a “Feliz Navidad,” “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah,” “Happy Holidays,” “Seasons Greetings,” “Happy Yule,” or “Happy Kwanzaa” – simply graciously receive the gift and if you’re so inclined to do so, return the gift of holiday cheer to the gift-giver. We can all afford to be a little more inclusive and tolerant of the various cultures and beliefs we have in our community.
To you and yours this holiday season, I wish you a very Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings; may your season be merry, bright, filled with laughter, love and the miracle of the season.