A neighbor just greeted me enthusiastically with “Merry Christmas,” and I said it back with joy, followed by the realization that I’ve received so few this year. Less and less each year, it seems.

So, Merry Christmas! Unabashedly.🎄

To say I’m not religious would be to put it mildly. And yet, I love Christmas. Love it. Everything about it. The gatherings of friends and family. Slowing down to reflect on the year coming to a close. The decorations, the music!, the treats, the meals. Offering gifts to those I cherish. What’s not to love?

When greeted with Happy Chanukah or Eid Mubarak, for example, I’ll say it back with a smile, and I’ll mean it.

So get out of here with “If you celebrate…” and even “Happy holidays.”

Merry Christmas!