We’re getting down to crunch time – Christmas is quickly approaching. My shopping is not done. I am a man, so I am waiting until December 23/24 to start shopping!

Let’s be careful out there! You and I need to watch what we say. There’s a war raging – not the ones in Afghanistan or Syria or someplace like that – it’s the war on Christmas.

Since there’s no shooting or anything that could harm them, politicians have become involved. Fox News is covering the skirmish, too. As a matter of fact, I learned from Fox News this week that Santa and Jesus are both white.

Seriously, do we really need this war?

Some people say that it’s not OK to say “Merry Christmas,” and others believe that those who might say “Happy Holidays” are lower than low – like heathen low.

There sure are a lot of questions about this so-called war on Christmas.

Instead of saying, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” what if I want to cut it short because I could really care less if the person I’m uttering these six words to has either? So to save time I just say “Happy Holidays.” Is that so wrong?

If I go to friends’ house and say, “That’s a beautiful holiday tree you have there,” will they still be my friends?

What if I visit a public school and say “Christmas tree” or “Christmas program,” instead of “Holiday tree” or “Holiday program?” What If I visit a Christian school and say the opposite?

If I write “Xmas” instead of “Christmas” will I be placed on a “watch list?”

What if I place a great big blow-up Santa Claus and some reindeer in my front yard, will my Christian friends look down on me?

What if I place a great big blow-up Santa in my yard, AND right beside it I place a nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus?

I know, I know, I’m looking for trouble.

This is America – I have rights! You have the same rights. Why do we have to make it so hard?

Here’s the deal: I won’t be offended if you say “Merry Christmas” to me. I won’t be offended if you say “Happy Holidays” to me.

By the way, if you don’t talk to me, I won’t be offended, either.

Full Disclosure: I have a Santa wreath on my door. Five feet away on the piano I have a nativity scene. For some reason I have two small snowmen near the nativity scene, too.

## MERRY CHRISTMAS ##  ## HAPPY HOLIDAYS ##