(I'm mostly copy-pasting my response to a journal posted by  inu-jean, who wanted to discuss "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays." My response and message to you all is this: )

Working in retail/customer service, this time of year can be difficult for many reasons. One reason, though, to which I think we can ALL relate, is this bitter, PC rivalry that has sprung up in recent years over the use of "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays." I want to settle this once and for all and say my two cents on why I still have no problems saying "Merry Christmas" even though I'm an Atheist.

1) I was raised Christian, so it's been ingrained in me. Of course, I could shed it with the other things I shed when I chose to not follow Christianity anymore, but I see no reason because:

2) Christmas still extols values that anyone can appreciate on a secular level. Good will towards your fellow man is not exclusive to any one religion, nor is the spirit of generosity we practice through the ritual gift-giving. I love giving AND receiving presents. Also...

3) This is the most important one: Saying "Merry Christmas," "Happy Holidays," "Seasons Greetings," "Happy Hanukkah," or anything else is meant to simply be a gesture of good will and glad tidings. When you chew someone out over it, you're spitting in the face of someone else who extended to you a genuine wish that you will be well and find happiness in your own life. The religion or lack thereof tied to the specific saying should not matter NEARLY as much as the attitude of kindness behind it, and to focus on said religious connection shows that you're missing the point of these holidays and that you're just being petty, shallow, and unwilling to accept kindness from another spiritual point of view (or in other words, you're being prejudiced).

If someone wishes me "Merry Christmas," I reciprocate. If someone wishes me "Happy Holidays," I once again reciprocate. It doesn't matter WHICH festive greeting they give to me--it's the fact that they are trying to connect with someone else, be it a dear friend or total stranger, and share in the majesty of goodness that can unite all of us, so long as we give it a chance. People who squabble over PC terms are the ones robbing the season of its spirit, and that saddens me more than anything, because we could ALL use the Christmas spirit of kindness and generosity much more often--not just during this time of year, but every day of the year throughout all our lives.

So to all of you, regardless of your own religious affiliations, I extend to you a Merry Christmas. I wish you only the best during this holiday season and indeed during all the year throughout all your lives. Be well, be merry, be jolly, be happy, be generous, be kind, be loving, be thankful, be healthy, and be better today than you were yesterday.