Where is the "Merry" in Christmas?

Remember when Christmas was a time of happiness and giving? In the past decade, anti-Christian sentiment has tried to move away from the "Christ" in Christmas by saying "Happy Holidays" instead. Major companies like Best Buy and Barnes & Noble are not allowed to say "Merry Christmas" because they have to be so-called "politically correct" and not be "disrespectful." I have to disagree. According to a 2000 Gallup poll, 96 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas.

Regardless of religion, saying "Merry Christmas" has become an American past time. For example, the Harry Potter series, a saga about witches and wizards, celebrates Christmas. If Harry and his friends say "Happy Christmas," the equivalent of "Merry Christmas" in England, and no religion is ever mentioned throughout the seven book series, why can't everyone else?

I understand that America has the right to freedom of religion due to the first amendment in the Constitution, and that America practices separation of Church and State, but our public schools promote Christmas. Congress also proclaimed Christmas a national holiday in June of 1870. With this said, although Christmas and saying "Merry Christmas" may have a religious background, it doesn't for all, yet they say it without a second thought. As a Christian, I do not find it offensive to see another religion's decorations being celebrate, so why are Christians being ostracized for saying "Merry Christmas?"

Some may argue that the stores should not be bias and that saying "Happy Holidays" would cater to all people, and I agree that would be acceptable for their advertisements in commercials or flyers, but not putting up Christmas trees and not allowing employees to wish a customer "Merry Christmas" is taking it too far.

If companies want to be "politically correct," then employees should be able to say what they prefer in order to exercise their rights. So this year when people are buying Christmas trees, putting up lights, stringing up tensile, and shopping for Christmas gifts, I hope they say "Merry Christmas" to help spread the good news.