“Happy Holidays!” is a term that upsets a lot of people. Writing “Xmas” is taking Christ out of Christmas when the holiday is supposed to represent the birth of Christ.

Is that how we took Christ out of it, though? Or did we, as a society, turn it into a gift giving excuse and reason to take off work? Where is Christ when we’re angry that the bike we wanted isn’t under the expensive tree we bought for the house?

Religious people are angry about the abbreviation of the holiday and different variations of holiday greetings but – what is Christmas really about? The Bible clearly states that giving, turning the other cheek and forgiveness are all virtues.

Those are gifts that last far longer than anything we can wrap. We, as a people, have turned it into Black Friday madness for a flat screen TV or a new doll.

Santa rarely exists anymore when the very point of him is to show children how to believe in something you can’t see—and how being kind and good gets rewarded with gifts… good things.

Bonuses from our paychecks get wasted on menial things, for those of us who even get them. Children are starving, homeless, and sick. Are you warm and at home with loved ones? That’s a gift.

You don’t have to be religious to rely on the season for giving. Take a second to be kind, give a dollar, donate some clothes you never wear. Show gratitude that you have food, shelter and a family. Pray, meditate or just say out loud how thankful you are to someone else because that is what Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, the holidays are truly about.

For the Christians, look at your Nativity. Look at what Mary and Joseph had when they bore their baby. They had nothing. They had a barn and selfless people honoring gifts.

Below, you will find some links about how to help those in need during this cold winter. Happy Holidays to all religions and never forget the real reason of the season.

The reason is the birth of Christ. Merry Christmas.

Southern MD Food Bank: http://www.smfb.somd.com/
Clothing donations: http://www.clothingdonations.org/
Shelter: http://www.threeoakscenter.org/