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When People Say, “Have a Merry Christmas,” How Should You Respond?

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When People Say, “Have a Merry Christmas,” How Should You Respond?

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A woman standing in line surrounded by people and Christmas lights. Ross Sneddon/Unsplash
Those of us who do not celebrate Christmas, knowing how to respond to someone who might be sincerely wishing us well is difficult.

For those of us who do not celebrate Christmas, knowing how to respond to someone who might be sincerely wishing us well is difficult. Here are a few principles that are important to keep in mind:

1. Most people wishing us well about Christmas have no idea that Christmas is pagan in its origin, and are often unaware that we do not celebrate it.

2. There is usually not enough time to respond to that person by giving a short explanation of either the origin of Christmas or the fact that you don't celebrate it for reasons of conscience.

3. To most, saying "Merry Christmas" or "Have a happy Christmas" becomes so commonplace, it is very similar to saying "Have a good day." Most people say it out of obligation or common courtesy.

4. To simply say "Thank you" to someone who has wished you such would not be wrong—given the circumstances. It thanks them for the sentiment, but is not responding "in kind" by implying you observe Christmas.

 

Holidays and Holy Days Christmas

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Comments

  • rtiststv
    rtiststv

    When someone wishes me a merry Christmas I usually wish them a happy Thanksgiving. Then they usually just laugh and let it go at that.

  • SweetnessOfGod'sLove
    OMOTAYO ISAAC JAMIU

    Christmas is a radical problem, using a general stand-alone response with almost everyone is not living at peace especially in Nigeria. I think a better response should be ' thank you' and if prompting from others takes me as a doer of Christmas, my response will be based on knowledge I have about the person/people and how I can plant a seed of truth in their live(s) in a soft way because many are not aware of origin/ignorance/things wrong about this Yearly December 25 Celebration.

  • jacobe452
    jacobe jane

    Quite Amazing Article the 3rd point of this article i love it..
    Thanks For Sharing This Post with Us.
    Diy Christmas Gifts 2016

  • Heather Disher
    Heather D
    When someone says "Happy Holidays," or "Merry Christmas," I say "thank you," because the person is trying to be polite and trying to show love and I truly am thankful for their consideration in sharing that with me. I have yet to think of a different response that would be appropriate and not rude, although it is something that I wrestle with every year. As Steven said, if someone I'm having a longer exchange with (hairdresser, dentist, etc.) asks "What are you doing this Christmas?" or "Are you all ready for Christmas?" I say "Oh, my family has never done Christmas." If they seem interested in more, I will follow up, if they aren't, I don't. I think that saying "thank you," instead of "you too," or "Merry Christmas," seems to make the impression that we are grateful for the courtesy being extended, but we do not share in it. I often get curious looks when my "thank you" is not followed by reciprocation. I don't think this is a cut and dry matter, however. If you are struggling with it, pray about it.
  • dziwczyna
    Nadine
    I think everyone has posted some valid points. If someone wishes me a merry xmas, I will generally be silent, like Steven Britt said. Everyone I work with knows I don't keep xmas, but they forget sometimes. If they make the error of saying it to me, I just sluff it off instead of becoming 'offended'. If a stranger or someone I know asks me what my plans are or if I'm finished my shopping, then I will reply that I don't keep it (most of the time, although I admit there are times when I have fallen short and have been 'embarrassed' to speak up). @Jlhuff - I hope you won't become discouraged. The church is composed of people coming from different viewpoints and backgrounds. Some have been born into this church, and others have come later out of a pagan religion. All of us work in different environments and relate to people differently. On the whole, I believe the vast majority are really striving to do God's will. God will correct us that aren't, and also the areas where we are weak (we all have weaknesses). What matters most is taking care of our own relationship with God. I really admire your boldness, and I agree that we can become lax with things that are vile to God.
  • Skip Miller
    Skip Miller
    Lena! You are right on!
  • Skip Miller
    Skip Miller
    Jlhuff, I like your response to "What do we say when someone wishes us a Merry Christmas?" Of course we need to think! God wants us to think and sometimes that makes others THINK as well. Sorry that you don't have a congregation close by. I miss being able to fellowship with you. Try the internet at UCG.org
  • Steven Britt
    Steven Britt
    Jlhuff, I agree that responding with "thank you" is dancing too close to the edge, but Lena makes a valid point in that we're not always in a position where it is appropriate to stop and have a discussion about it. Personally, I just remain silent if a cashier says it at the end of a transaction or if the Salvation Army person says it as I walk by. On the other hand, if the bank teller or whoever is trying to make conversation and asks, "do you have any plans for Christmas," this opens up a short window for a dialog. I usually respond by telling them that I celebrate the Holy Days rather than Christmas/Easter, and I've learned from experience that this is a much more useful approach than throwing the pagan origins of the holidays in their faces. We should, of course, not shy away from those things, but you will likely alienate people if you lead with it.
  • Lena VanAusdle
    Lena VanAusdle
    Julie, I agree with you, we should be preaching the gospel, but part of preaching the gospel is in our example, not necessarily in our words. What do you do when a teller at the bank says have a Merry Christmas as you finish your transaction? Do you take the time to explain to her, I don't celebrate Christmas, and here is why... Or how about when you are leaving a grocery store at the check out with a long line behind you? I think we have an obligation to preach the gospel and sometimes that means thanking people for their sentiments and moving on. If you have a personal relationship with someone, by all means, explain why you believe what you believe. But a total stranger, in a passing moment? I think most people would be very offended by that kind of response.
  • Julie41
    Julie41
    That's kind of like riding the fence. I mean in Revelations God scolds one of the churches for being "lukewarm" toward Him. Isn't it better to tell people the truth? Aren't we disciples? I know I won't be saying "thank you" to anyone wishing me a merry Christmas. We aren't supposed to worry about what the world thinks, we are supposed to tell the good news, which is the truth; and if we say thank you to something that is not true, that's a lie as well. It's like we are keeping some sort of secret and it's not supposed to be a secret. We are to NOT "hide it under a bushel." We are supposed to act like Jesus and tell folks the truth about God and encourage them to seek the truth too by encouraging them to read the Bible. The only way to do that would be to tell them the truth as stated in the Bible. If not, then it seems to me that they would just continue to live in the false beliefs system they are in and God wants ALL of His children to know. He loves all of us equally.
  • christineallen6052@gmail.com
    Christine Allen

    I totally agree with you. When people wishes me a merry Christmas, I do say thank you, but I also let them know that I do not believe in it because Jesus was not born in December. I tell them that Christmas is not in the Bible and I only follow God's Holy Days. We are examples of Jesus and He wants us be truthful. God tells us not to be ashamed of Him, and if we do, then He will be ashamed of us. So, I don't see the harm in telling people the truth about that so called holiday.

  • Jlhuff
    Jlhuff
    Saying "thank you" when someone wishes you a merry xmas is wrong. Christmas has always been a pagan holiday and historically Christians were slaughtered and tortured on this day. To say "thank you" in response is the equivalent of a Jew saying "thank you" to someone who would wish them a happy Nazi day, if such a day existed. Likewise, in the true sentiment of Christ, if someone is unaware of the paganism of xmas then we are to be disciples and tell them. The best way to respond is by saying "I'm a Christian, I don't celebrate Christmas." This response gets to the point, explains that chrismtas is not a Christian holiday and invites them to educate themselves on Biblical scripture. It also prevents you from having a conflict of faith which is what would happen if you said "thank you". If Jesus heard someone say merry Christmas, I doubt very much that he would respond by saying "thank you" he would go out of his way to explain to them that it is unchristian to celebrate Christmas or to participate in paganism. The Bible clearly shows this. To say that it is okay to respond with a "thank you" undermines the evil associated with the pagan holidays and therefore undermines both God's authority and Biblical scripture. The Bible states to walk as Jesus walked (do as Jesus did) Jesus would NEVER say "thank you" in response to paganism in any form. Some people claim it is easier to say "thank you" because our hectic lives or obligations prevent us from doing what Jesus would do. This is incorrect thinking and if we applied it to everything then we wouldn't keep the Sabbath, Holy Days or follow any of God's laws. The answer is simple- do what Jesus would do and as the Bible shows many times Jesus educated people about God's laws and how to properly be a Christian. No matter what Jesus was doing he would stop and tell someone the truth. Either we bow to this world or we bow to God. By saying "thank you" in response to merry xmas or happy easter we are NOT doing what Jesus would do and ultimately are not being a Christian. My family and I have recently come to this church after studying the Bible at home for 3 years. There are no churches in our area that abstain from paganism. However, if this church believes that "thank you" is a response that Jesus would give then perhaps this church is not Biblical, either.
  • deedb32
    Ballard

    I use to do all over the above, now I simply say God Bless You, and go pray that the Lord will open thier eyes as he has open minds, I truly belive, someone prayed for me.

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