A LinkedIn group for writers to which I belong is agonising about what to say to folks this year as we approach December 25. Being a bunch of wretched and godless liberals there are endless variations of Happy Holidays but until I chipped in only one chap explaining why he wished people a Merry Christmas.
On December 25 folks across the West of all religions or - in most cases - of none will be swapping gifts, eating to excess and celebrating. Very few will be at work. And why will they all be doing that on December 25? Because it is Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ.
We can discuss at great length how Jesus was almost certainly not born in December but December 25 is his day. That is a fact. Most folks will not take an hour out of their materialistic excess to go to Church but that they engage in such excess at this time of the year is down to it being Jesus's birthday.
Those like my Godless daughter Olaf and the Guardian who pretend otherwise are simply in denial of fact. The same liberal elitists would, of course, not dream of wishing Happy Holidays to a Muslim during Eid as that would be culturally insensitive. But Christianity is fair game for ridicule all year round but especially at this time of year.
To wish me Happy Holidays is a denial not only of my heritage but also of fact. And, on the latter matter, it is something that I find mildly offensive. So don't do it!