Sorry Billo. I say Merry Christmas for one reason:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

Because of a pair of smiles.

The one on those I wish it, and the one on my silly-ass mug. I cannot say the words without smiling.

As I told a family member earlier this week, if nothing else, we celebrate the faith of our Fathers. A time to look back and look forward, and by doing so, see where we are in life. And look to where we wish to be.

However you celebrate the time and the season, may you know my greatest wish for all those I know and love on DU is that you may know peace of spirit, love in abundance, and true friendship.

:toast: :loveya: :fistbump:

I. Love. You.

[babylonsister]

1. Awww, you old softie you!

I went to my first X-mas program in a church in decades last night, all about getting the season back in your heart vs. letting the everyday stuff control you. Lotsa music, too! It was called "The Christmas Station".

I love your sentiments there, SCE, and I wish the same for you! :hug:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

3. Yes'm, a softie I am. :)

You have been a wonderful friend for so many years sis.

May blessings of joy be yours always. Know that your heart is is a great one. :*

[malaise]

9. A beloved softie to boot

:hug:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

10. Oh now

:blush:

Thank you malaise. :hug: :loveya: :)

Merry Christmas :)

[Hissyspit]

2. And a Merry Christmas to you, too!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

4. Hi Hissy! Thank you!

My dear fellow. :loveya:

[southernyankeebelle]

5. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all

[SalmonChantedEvening]

6. And to you as well southernyankeebelle!

:hi: :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

7. K&R. And a Merry Christmas to you, too, my friend!

Wishing you the happiest of times and that the joy you bring others comes back to you in great abundance... O8)

Rhiannon :hug::fistbump::yourock:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

8. Thank you Rhiannon!

All the best for a Merry Christmas and a great 2010.

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[Rhiannon12866]

13. You're more than welcome, my friend.

And the same wish from me to you and yours. For me, it wouldn't take much to make 2010 better than 2009, but I'm not holding my breath... :scared:

But at least I can always count on my BFF... And so can you. ;)

:loveya:

[TexasObserver]

11. We need to accept all holiday greetings, and not use them as attacks.

If one is not a Christian, or one does not wish to acknowledge the Christian holiday, there is a response to "Merry Christmas!" It is "Thank you! And Happy Hanukkah (or Festivus, or Winter Solstice, or Kwanzaa, or Holidays) to you!"

The problem is not saying "Merry Christmas," but meaning it as a greeting and a good wish, not as an attack on the beliefs of others. If the Muslim can feel free to say "Happy Ramadan" or words of such import for Islam, that's the best of both worlds. There's no reason those who celebrate Christmas should resist wishing a merry Christmas to all. The key is to be accepting, not combative, to those who have another belief system for the holidays, and to give that equal respect when their adherents mention them.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

12. Well said TexasObserver.

May your Christms truly be a Merry one. :)

[baldguy]

15. +1000

I say "Happy Holidays" because there are so many:

Oct 31
Halloween
King-Father’s Birthday (Cambodia)
Allantide (Cornwall)
Hop-tu-Naa (Isle of Man)
Reformation Day (Slovenia, Northeastern Germany, Lutheranism, & Reformed churches)
Samhain (through Nov 1; Gaelic, Pagan, Wicca in Northern Hemisphere)
Beltane (through Nov 1; Gaelic, Pagan, Wicca in Southern Hemisphere)

Nov 1
All Saints' Day (Western Christianity)
Calan Gaeaf (Wales)
Day of the Dead (through Nov 2; Mexico)

Nov 2
All Souls' Day (Western Christianity)

Nov 5
Guy Fawkes Day (United Kingdom)

Nov 11
Veterans' Day (United States)
Nov 15
Nativity Fast (through Dec 24; Eastern Christianity)

Nov 25
Hajj (through Nov 30; Islam)

Nov 26
Thanksgiving Day (United States)

Nov 27
Eid al-Adha (through Nov 30; Islam)
Buy Nothing Day (through Nov 27; Anti-consumerism)

Nov 28
Ascension of `Abdu'l-Bahá (Bahá'í Faith)
Feast of the Holy Sovereigns (Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii)

Nov 29
Advent Sunday (Western Christianity)
Advent (through Dec 24; Western Christianity)

Nov 30
Bonifacio Day (Philippines)
St. Andrew's Day (Scotland)

Dec 8
Feast of the Emmaculate Conception (Western Christianity)

Dec 11
Hanukkah (through Dec 19; Judaism)

Dec 12
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Dec 16
Rosh Chodesh Tevet (Through Dec 18; Judaism)
Las Posadas (Through Dec 24; Mexico)
Misa de Gallo (Through Dec 24; Philippines)

Dec 18
Islamic New Year (Islam)

Dec 20
Mother Night (Ásatrú)
Day of Mourning (Panama)

Dec 21
Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle
Winter Solstice

Dec 24
Christmas Eve (Western Christianity)

Dec 25
Christmas Day (Western Christianity)
Twelve Days of Christmas (through Jan 6; Christianity)

Dec 26
Boxing Day (British Commonwealth)
Kwanza (through Jan 1)
St. Stephen's Day (Western Christianity)

Dec 27
St. Stephen's Day (Eastern Christianity)
Feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist

Dec 28
Feast of the Holy Innocents

Dec 31
New Years' Eve
Hgmanay (through Jan 2; Scotland)

Jan 1
New Years' Day
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (Protestant)

Jan 3
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (Catholic)

Jan 6
Feast of the Epiphany

[11 Bravo]

14. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, my friend.

(And you surely are my favorite DU "softie".)

:pals:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

17. May your blessings be many.

11B, my good friend. A Very Merry Christmas. :loveya: :hi:

[nuxvomica]

16. I have used a non-sectarian greeting over the years

By whatever name you call this season of light amid darkness,
In whatever way you celebrate this most ancient of festivals,
May it fill you with abundant joy,
And may it leave you with unwavering hope.
Peace.

Oh, and Merry Christmas, SCE!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

18. A time to celebrate how fortunate I am.

I am weathy beyond measure, for I am surrounded by friends. Always.

To the Season Nux. And to you, a Merry Christmas.

:hug: :loveya: :)