Zogby reports that the choice by some businesses and political figures to replace the words “Merry Christmas” with “Happy Holidays” does not sit well with a majority of Americans.

When people were “asked if they are offended when someone says “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays,” just 5% answered in the affirmative. The rest of the 1,090 adults surveyed on Dec. 12 and 13 said they are “not at all offended” by the Christian greeting.

“On the other hand, if retailers are enforcing a “Happy Holidays” rule at their establishment, they risk an insult to nearly one-third of their customers. The poll showed that 30% said they were either very or somewhat offended when someone offers them the bland, one-size-fits-all holiday greeting.”

The West Virginia Legislature has joined in the political correctness gone amuck by calling the tree in the center of the capitol a “Rotunda Tree.” Someone needs to tell the powers that be that if it looks like a Christmas tree, smells like a Christmas tree, and is decorated like a Christmas tree, it is a Christmas tree.

“But, but,” the liberals sputter, “Christmas is a Christian holiday. Separation of church and state!” If they really believe that, let’s not play word games: ban it completely.

Christmas’ critics must recognized that changing the name of the holiday does nothing to its meaning. Abraham Lincoln used to ask, “How many legs would a dog have if you call the tail a leg?” The answer would invariably be “five.” Lincoln would smile and reply, “No, saying a dog’s tail is a leg does not make it so.”

In like manner, calling Christmas something else changes the substance of the holiday as much as calling an axe murderer “Mother Teresa” exonerates the criminal.

If it is so detrimental to our country for the government to say “Christmas” let us no longer recognize the day as a federal holiday.

I must admit the blatant effort to replace the greeting “Merry Christmas” with “Happy Holidays” is amusing. After all, the word “holiday” means “holy day.” If that is not religion inclusive, I don’t know what is.

But in the fight over titles, I find something else more offensive.

Retailers and shoppers alike have turned the word “Christmas” into a time of excessive shopping. Businesses are supposed to make money and people are supposed to exchange gifts during the holiday. It’s not wrong, but somewhere in the mad rush to the store, we have forgotten what Christmas is really about: the first gift-giver and his gift to the world.

I find myself growling at a retailer who strikes the word “Christmas” as I rush into the store to find a gift. I wonder who the bigger hypocrite is: a retailer who innocuously changes a name or myself, who forgets the meaning of Christmas and does damage to the substance of the occasion.

Enjoy the Christmas week, but when the blood pressure rises over a retailer who doesn’t keep a name, make sure you are keeping the spirit of Christmas.

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