This year, make Peace on Earth a real thing -- end the Holiday Holy Wars

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 It's Sunday, Nov. 28 -- and it's a significant date in many ways. 

Hanukkah begins tonight at sundown. 

It's the first Sunday of Advent on the western Christian calendar. 

It's the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, when, for those who observe it, it's all too easy to rationalize: "I'm having another piece of cake. The holiday's not over until Monday, in which case we'll have leftovers."

And for anyone who spends any time at all on social media, it's time to end forever a most unfortunate seasonal activity -- the Holiday Holy Wars.

It starts, ostensibly, in the name of preserving tradition.

 But, it's really a battle over which observance is most sacred, most valid, most deserving of setting public policy.

It seems strange to see adults going through this battle every year, at a time nominally known for wishing peace and glad tidings. 

But, before we rush to light the lights, string the garland and guzzle the hot cocoa, let's set some ground rules:

-- It's "Merry Christmas" if greeting someone who celebrates Christmas.

-- "Happy Holidays" is perfectly acceptable if unsure what, if anything, a person celebrates. 

I'm Irish-American, Catholic, and observant. I have no problem whatsoever with "Happy Holidays," and I will never say no to a piece of cake in any festivity. As a journalist, I have covered observances and festivities of many cultures. 

None of this diminishes me. To the contrary -- it gives me strength and makes me a better Catholic, a better citizen.

As an Irish-American, I feel comfortable being simply one of many ethnic minorities and language groups in my city, Lowell, Massachusetts, known for its amazing tapestry of diversity in the true sense.

 That is, not just a colorful mural on a factory wall, but people of many backgrounds, living and working together to solve problems and enhance life for everyone.

Now, for those who consider themselves more enlightened than the "It's Merry Christmas" crowd:

-- Resist lecturing, "Christmas is really a Pagan holiday, you know." No, it's not. The word "Christmas" by definition denotes a Christian observance. The word "Christmas" is a contraction of Christ's Mass.

-- Most educated people understand that Christmas and other Christian observances were retrofitted to align with celebrations in place before Christianity. And some traditions are not as ancient as they appear.

-- If you're not of Celtic ancestry, but taking Celtic observances such as Samhain, Imbolc, and Beltane and Lughnasadh out of context, this is just straight-up cultural appropriation. 

The Irish endured 800 years of colonial occupation. Do not further the insult. Calling a ritual "Samhain" does not make it so.

What all this comes down to is not political correctness, or reactiveness. 

It simply comes down to a respect for every person and the
spiritual journeys that give rise to raising a toast, lighting candles, giving gifts, and prayer as song. 

It's no accident so many traditions converge this time of year -- it's a struggle toward light, and rejoicing in the hope given by the renewal of light. 

Let's treat it as such, and banish the darkness.

Meg Smith is a writer, journalist, dancer and events producer living in Lowell, Mass. She welcomes visits to megsmithwriter.com.



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