No Offense, but Merry Christmas.

It’s that time of year again: sleigh bells ringing in the snow, chestnuts roasting on an open fire and TV talking heads who stand to defend Christmas from those who, they say, would seek to sanitize the season of any religious connotation.

The spirit of the season is jarred by a loud few lobbing grenades over how we celebrate and how political friends and foes celebrate it as well.

Some, when greeted with “Happy Holidays”, might use “Merry Christmas” as a bludgeon to show their rejection of “political correctness.” Others, when affronted by the offensive “MC” greeting may fire back with “Happy Winter Solstice” to strike a blow for their belief system. Some just wear bad sweaters so people will leave them alone entirely.

Trees at the White House seem to be particular lightning rods for Christmas controversy. Maybe because they are so conspicuous and the ceremonies surrounding them give all sides a read on a President's stand on Christmas.

Around the turn of the 20^th century, President McKinley was urged to forego the “Christmas tree habit” since it was “arboreal infanticide.” Another group opposed having a tree in the Executive Mansion since it was a “German” tradition.

In 1972, the Nixon Administration drew criticism for using a peace sign as a tree-topper. In 1973, conservation groups wanted to address environmental issues. They persuaded the White House to use a live tree instead of a cut one.

During the Clinton years, a couple of stockings decorating the tree were marked “Bill” and “Newt”. One had candy, the other had coal…respectively.

Lincoln Chafee (Governor of Rhode Island) decided to call his tree a "holiday" tree, much to the dismay of those who prefer "Christmas."

This is an unwinnable war. If it’s a “Christmas” tree, then one group is bent out of shape. If it’s a “Holiday” tree, then you’ve run afoul of someone else’s sensibilities. Others are upset at the use of a tree at all, maybe for environmental reasons or because a decorated tree amounts to pagan idol in their view.

Despite all the noise from high-visibility (and audibility) ideologues, I believe most people still feel good will toward each other around the official start of winter. It’s a wonderful time of the year, for whatever reason you may choose.

I’d like to say Merry Christmas to all. I mean those words in kindness and with all good wishes. Greet me as you wish (or not) and I’ll accept that in the same spirit.

And I may even compliment your sweater.