I’m not exactly sure when it happened but sometime between my childhood and my adulthood (two periods which seem to overlap and intermix constantly), people stopped wishing others a “Merry Christmas.” It was no longer the politically correct thing to do.

People, so worried that they might offend someone of a different religion, quit using what for many essentially boils down to a friendly “hello” during the holidays.

“What if the persons I’m wishing a Merry Christmas don’t believe in Jesus?” “What if they are atheists?” “What if they are Jewish? Is there something I can say to show my happiness at this time of the year and not offend anyone?” They must’ve asked.

Somewhere during my lifetime, “Happy Holidays” seemed to be born. Not away in a manger mind you, but rather as a PC alternative to what people really felt like saying or writing or using to advertise their events.

For millions of people, it is Christmas time. Millions of others are getting ready to mark Hanukkah. I’m not a buff on religions of the world, so my apologies for leaving anyone out here.

Let’s get this one out of the way: I’m Catholic. I went to St. Joseph’s, O’Dea High School and Seattle University, all of which have religious affiliations. I grew up with Christmas plays, choir songs about the baby Jesus, Nativity sets and religion abounding from every part of Capitol Hill in Seattle.

If I was from a strong Jewish family, I’d likely have similar memories of Hanukkah, reciting “Baruch ata Ado-nai, Elo-heinu Melech ha’olam, Asher kid’shanu b’mitzvosav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah” while lighting the first candle — which should technically be olive oil — on the menorah.

Like it or not, this is a religious season.

But even as such, wishing someone a “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah” or the like should never be viewed as a slight or a means to offend.

That goes for the non-religious as well. I thought one of the ideals of America was freedom of religion. While this tends to wear many hats, to the far liberal and far conservative ends, my wishing you “Merry Christmas” isn’t meant to “convert” you and it sure isn’t meant to tick you off.

As far as greetings go, I don’t take offense at the “Velkommen til Poulsbo” sign. Maybe I should. I’m not Norwegian, after all. But I digress.

“What are you folks doing for Christmas?” I asked a friend of mine in downtown Poulsbo a few years back.

“I don’t celebrate Christmas. I’m Jewish,” he replied.

“Well, then what are you doing for Hanukkah?” I asked.

No hard feelings. No outrage. No apologies. Just a correction and an ensuing discussion about our holiday plans.

If he had replied, “I don’t celebrate Christmas. I’m an atheist,” I’m sure our chat would have differed little. Knowing his background, I’d have likely switched greetings. But not knowing someone’s background on such matters shouldn’t lead to an automatic PC default of “Happy Holidays.”

The bottom line here is our society is so enraptured with not offending anyone in this melting pot that we’re forced to compromise our own identities as individuals to a certain degree. It’s a real shame that it has come to this.

What about Seasons Greetings? That one doesn’t make a lot of sense in my book, seeing as you could basically apply it to summer, spring, fall and/or winter. Have you ever wished anyone a happy spring?

No doubt that soon enough people who are clinically depressed and hate the holidays will take umbrage to the “happy” portion of “Happy Holidays” anyway and some PC guru will mandate that we simply wish each other “Holidays” and “New Year.”

Until, and even if, he or she does, during this very special time of year, I continue to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

JOE IRWIN

Editor