[New York Diary]The Ongoing 'Merry Christmas' Debate

Stories from Everyday Life in America, Straight from New York

"Merry Christmas."

Not long ago, I paused briefly while watching the 'Christmas Spectacular' year-end performance at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, New York. Since 1933, this show has been a hallmark signaling the Christmas season every year. In the latter part of the performance, dancers line up and complete the phrase "Merry Christmas" using dice with letters on them. Despite the lively music and the warm Christmas greeting, I felt awkward for a clear reason: many people locally have long been consciously avoiding this greeting.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

It seems it has been well over ten years since I first saw news that the greeting "Merry Christmas" is disappearing in the United States. Even though Christmas trees and decorations fill Manhattan in December, New Yorkers generally avoid using the phrase "Merry Christmas." Because non-Christians, atheists, or followers of other religions may feel uncomfortable, there has been a strong call to use value-neutral expressions like "Happy holidays" instead of the religiously charged "Merry Christmas." This is also a result of the "political correctness (PC)" movement, which urges restraint in using discriminatory language related to gender, race, and minorities. During the holiday season, there are celebrations beyond Christmas, such as Hanukkah, a Jewish festival, and Kwanzaa, celebrated by African Americans.

Personally, after a friend told me last year, "I don't celebrate Christmas," I have been more conscious about using "Happy holidays." While the intention is to avoid discriminatory language, the real reason is a cautious desire not to create unnecessary controversy over a simple year-end greeting meant to spread goodwill. New York is one of the most progressive areas in the U.S., characterized by its multiethnic, multireligious, and multicultural nature. Who would have thought that a warm Christmas greeting could be such a complicated issue here?

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

At some point, year-end greetings in the U.S. have come to reflect political and social conflicts and divisions. Every year around this time, debates over holiday greetings resurface. Public figures face criticism for not being value-neutral when saying "Merry Christmas" in public, while conservative white Christians sometimes react strongly, feeling their culture is under attack and obsessing over the "Merry Christmas" greeting. Now, the very choice of a year-end greeting carries political and social significance in America.

The wording on presidential cards is also a recurring issue. Former President Barack Obama used only "Happy holidays" throughout his terms. In contrast, former President Donald Trump, aiming to rally conservative Christian voters, has long vowed to "take back Merry Christmas," intensifying the greeting conflict. Current President Joe Biden uses both "Merry Christmas" and "Happy holidays." This year, too, the wording on politicians' cards will likely be clearly divided as they prepare for the next presidential election.

"Merry Christmas" or "Happy holidays"?it is bitterly ironic that a greeting meant to close out the year expresses "division" rather than "love and inclusion." What truly matters is the sincerity behind the greeting. If love, consideration, and inclusion are contained within the greeting, what difference does it make whether it is "Merry Christmas" or "Happy holidays"? However, this way of thinking may only hold among friends and acquaintances. One thing is clear: the greeting conflict that divides America does not seem likely to disappear anytime soon.