Christmas has come and gone for another year. It's another one "in the books" as the sportscasters like to say. The "holidays" are not over yet, with New Year's Eve just around the corner, but it does seem as though Christmas won the War On Christmas™.

When I was a kid, the notion of a war on Christmas was quite a bit different. Back then - according to the Peanuts gang - it meant the ever-increasing commercialism distracting from the religious roots of the holiday. As any historian will tell you, the secular trappings of Christmas (the tree, the wreath, the lights, the Yule log, etc.) are all part of the pagan celebrations at the time (most notably - Yule). The birth of Christ was artificially attached, and the name applied. Other legends and traditions became intertwined and eventually morphed into Santa Claus and the 12:00 midnight melees at Wal-Mart trying to get that special deal on a flatscreen TV.

According to a certain 24 hour "news" network, however, the REAL attack on Christmas is the replacement of "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays". Never mind that this time of the year we also have Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, and of course New Years Eve. Although I have only celebrated the secular trappings of Christmas, I have never understood this mindset. I also don't understand the animosity around a wish for good times. Why would anyone feel put out by such a thing?

I am not Jewish, but if someone wished me a Happy Hanukkah, I would be happy and wish it right back to them.

I am not black, but if someone wished me a Happy Kwanzaa, I would be happy and wish it right back to them.

I am not pagan, but if someone wished me a Happy Yule, I would be happy and wish it right back to them.

I am not Christian, but when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I am indeed merry, and wish it right back to them.

In none of those cases would I feel the need to tell the wellwisher that I didn't celebrate their holiday. If someone tells me to "Have a nice day", I don't get angry and snarl "Don't tell ME what kind of day to have".

Perhaps for those who don't celebrate Christmas, all of the hubbub can be a bit overwhelming. Unless your religion expressly prohibits joining in the fun, though, I have to wonder - why not? I would love to participate in other celebrations of life, whatever their roots. Yes, the crass commercialism of Christmas is gross, but the basis of peace, love, goodwill, and reconnecting with family and friends seems like something that no one should disagree with... unless you're an asshole.

So whatever you do to enjoy and have a happy holiday, feel free to invite me along for the celebration, because whatever your religion (or lack thereof) and however you celebrate it, I will gladly join you.