Happy Holidays & The Imaginary War on Christmas

Whether you’ve noticed it or not, in the past few years there has been a gradual switch from saying “Merry Christmas” commonly to “Happy Holidays”. And instead of “Christmas” break, we have “Holiday” break. Many have taken offense to this change, and other changes, and called this “political correctness” or “PC-Culture” an “attack on traditional values” (along with marriage equality) and the “War on Christmas.”

Personally? I couldn’t be happier about these changes. And in my humble opinion, militant Christians need to take a step back and understand two things:

1. Christmas is not the only holiday celebrated during December, (or even on December 25 – Hanukkah takes place partially on that day this year too, along with the twelve days of Yule!)
2. Christmas wasn’t even the first holiday to be celebrated around the winter solstice, (shout-out to the ancient Greeks + others, probably).

But other than the factual inaccuracies in the logic used by people who believe that our country is going to ruin because of red Starbucks cups, the holiday season is a time that I was raised to believe is when people should be especially open, accepting, loving, and at peace with those around them, (even the ones you don’t agree with – like that family member who just won’t shut up about that actor you hate). And when someone tells me “happy holidays” with a big ol’ grin on their face, that’s what that says to me. It says that, regardless of our differences, I wish you a time of happiness and blessings, from whatever deity or force you may or may not believe in and in whatever way you celebrate, (if you do choose to do that).

They are not trying to get rid of Christmas. I repeat, people who say “happy holidays” are not trying to get rid of Christmas and, in fact, I’m sure some of them even celebrate it.

So I guess the point of this post is that maybe the next time you think about “correcting” someone who tells you “happy holidays” instead of “merry Christmas”, perhaps give the meaning behind their words a thought and don’t bother to “correct” them at all because, honestly? I’m sure you have bigger problems to worry about, (I know I sure do).

Blessings to you all, I hope finals went well, and happy holidays!

Julie

So it’s Been Awhile (V-Log 12.6.16)

Hello friends!

So this blog has been on the backburner for the past few months, and I really am sorry about that because it isn’t something I want to stop doing as I enjoy it a lot. But life has been incredibly hectic with NANOWRIMO, (which I finished!!) scrambling to make sure everything gets done for my grad school applications, (easier said than done) and finishing this second-to-last-semester of undergrad as strongly as possible.

That being said, with finals and then break coming up, I should have a lot more time to write and share with you all and I’m really looking forward to it! In the meantime, please enjoy this v-log!

Julie

P.S. yes I did cut off all my hair and I love it!