I find it a shame that the commercialization of Christmas is no longer the most upsetting part of this season. For years, it was the biggest obstacle to overcome in focusing on the real reason for the celebration. Now political correctness has dwarfed the commercial aspect of our most sacred holiday. Everywhere the word “holiday” has replaced Christmas. Holiday parades, holiday concerts, even holiday trees. Happy holidays has replaced Merry Christmas on signs, cards and on the lips of employees at some public locations.

These new terms have come into existence because we are afraid of offending someone who does not celebrate Christmas. Please don’t get me wrong, I respect that others have their own religions and I am proud that we live in a country that guarantees those freedoms. With that in mind, I ask: Don’t all religions share the same basic message of peace on Earth and goodwill to man? Does it really matter who you believe is the true bearer of that message as long as we all practice it to the best of our ability?

Merry Christmas doesn’t seem all that offensive when you look at the common message behind the greeting. The people who would be offended by Merry Christmas are the same people who would be offended by mispronouncing their name while giving them a compliment.

Unfortunately, our society has been hijacked by a few who missed the whole point of the message while selfishly focusing on the delivery.

Tim Stevens, Monmouth