For pagan nurses, is "Happy solstice" the right expression?

[vetpharmtech]

Vetpharmtech:

Wishing you a Happy Solstice. If not, please let me know what you wish. This month is a magical month for many. I really love this season and enjoy doing things for people.

An interesting side note. We were arranging a happy hour for later in December. The organizer was doing it later in the month becuase it was the best time. He wrote out something that addressed Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, and I believe Happy Solstice. SOmeone wrote him back and said please don't forget Festivus. So we added Happy Festivus to the list. I would love to know more about the celebrations I don't know much about.

You don't need my permission. You are very considerate and empathetic nurse.

Therefore, in case I forget when that day comes, merry Christmas to you

[Golden_RN, MSN]

My opinion is that we are way overthinking this Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays vs. whatever. As a culturally-conscious nurse, you wouldn't assume anything about your patient/client, and therefore wouldn't say "Happy Solstice" or "Happy Kwanzaa" or anything that represents what YOU the nurse celebrate, because the focus is on the patient/client, NOT on the nurse.

Unfortunately, with the so-called 'war on Christmas', "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays" now can have a political slant, so I will just say nothing to patients about the holidays. If they say "Merry Christmas", "Season's Greetings" or whatever, I will reciprocate.

[Nature_walker, ASN, BSN, RN]

I am pagan, and like PP stated, I doubt you would know unless you saw me at ritual. At work, I dress like everyone else, in my scrubs. I don't wear any jewelry, excpet my wedding band, so there is no identifying marker that would shout "She's pagan!"

As for how I greet others, whatever they wish me, I wish them back. They mean well and their intention is to wish you a wonderful time of year. I don't have a problem with anyone saying Merry whatever, or happy whatever. It's their well meaning intent. I wish them back whatever was wished to me because I want them to know I want them to feel the warmth of the season even if we don't celebrate it the same way. I find no harm in this. To my coven mates, yes, I wish them a Happy Yule, but that is a private event that happens in a sacred space for us. Otherwise, I'll happily wish you whatever greeting you have wished to me, because again, it is the intent of goodwill that is behind the words.

[Wuzzie]

I am pagan, and like PP stated, I doubt you would know unless you saw me at ritual. At work, I dress like everyone else, in my scrubs. I don't wear any jewelry, excpet my wedding band, so there is no identifying marker that would shout "She's pagan!"

As for how I greet others, whatever they wish me, I wish them back. They mean well and their intention is to wish you a wonderful time of year. I don't have a problem with anyone saying Merry whatever, or happy whatever. It's their well meaning intent. I wish them back whatever was wished to me because I want them to know I want them to feel the warmth of the season even if we don't celebrate it the same way. I find no harm in this. To my coven mates, yes, I wish them a Happy Yule, but that is a private event that happens in a sacred space for us. Otherwise, I'll happily wish you whatever greeting you have wished to me, because again, it is the intent of goodwill that is behind the words.

Thank you so much for this. I'd hazard a guess that, regardless of what religion a person practices, the intent of goodwill is the same for the vast majority of people. Why some people feel the need to scrutinize every single word a person says to search for possible offense is beyond me. A perfect plan for a miserable existence full of unhappiness and anger. Just enjoy the spirit of the holiday season and let everyone else enjoy theirs. It just isn't that difficult.

[vetpharmtech]

My opinion is that we are way overthinking this Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays vs. whatever. As a culturally-conscious nurse, you wouldn't assume anything about your patient/client, and therefore wouldn't say "Happy Solstice" or "Happy Kwanzaa" or anything that represents what YOU the nurse celebrate, because the focus is on the patient/client, NOT on the nurse.

Unfortunately, with the so-called 'war on Christmas', "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays" now can have a political slant, so I will just say nothing to patients about the holidays. If they say "Merry Christmas", "Season's Greetings" or whatever, I will reciprocate.

Sometimes I feel like diversity is not strength unless people are willing to be inclusive. Have you seen how Christians on the media complain about people not saying "merry Christmas"? They act like without Jesus people have no reason to celebrate the season.

Sorry. This country is not a Christian theocratic state. Christians should feel free to wish "merry Christmas" to anyone. They should also accept the fact that other people from different faith systems will respond differently. Christians can own Christmas, but they don't own winter season. With or without Jesus, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule,...still occur. Just because our government do not make those days become holiday observance does not mean they don't have meanings to people who celebrate them.

[vetpharmtech]

...To my coven mates, yes, I wish them a Happy Yule, but that is a private event that happens in a sacred space for us...

You are very kind for trying to be considerate to people not in your coven and mindful of your identity.

[vetpharmtech]

Thank you so much for this. I'd hazard a guess that, regardless of what religion a person practices, the intent of goodwill is the same for the vast majority of people. Why some people feel the need to scrutinize every single word a person says to search for possible offense is beyond me. A perfect plan for a miserable existence full of unhappiness and anger. Just enjoy the spirit of the holiday season and let everyone else enjoy theirs. It just isn't that difficult.

After I decided not to celebrate Christmas anymore to keep my integrity, I have learned to wish people "happy holidays". When some people wished me "merry Christmas" and I responded with "happy holidays", they seemed upset. Since then, I have decided that I would not be politically correct with the expression simply because some Christians took an issue with my words. The fact was that I simply responded back to their wish. It was not like I initiated the saying to cause an offense.

I agree with Carrie_RN that this "war of Christmas" is a political battle between atheists and Christians. I have never censored anyone from saying what they want to say. I wanted to be respectful and honest at the same time. However, since some Christians could not handle it, I decided that I would be even more blunt with them by stating what I exactly celebrate: the winter solstice.

[Wuzzie]

After I decided not to celebrate Christmas anymore to keep my integrity, I have learned to wish people "happy holidays". When some people wished me "merry Christmas" and I responded with "happy holidays", they seemed upset. Since then, I have decided that I would not be politically correct with the expression simply because some Christians took an issue with my words. The fact was that I simply responded back to their wish. It was not like I initiated the saying to cause an offense.

I agree with Carrie_RN that this "war of Christmas" is a political battle between atheists and Christians. I have never censored anyone from saying what they want to say. I wanted to be respectful and honest at the same time. However, since some Christians could not handle it, I decided that I would be even more blunt with them by stating what I exactly celebrate: the winter solstice.

So, because you inferred that some people were upset you have decided to basically poke everyone who wishes you a Merry Christmas, regardless of intent, in the eye just to make a point. Do you even see the irony in that?

[GrumpyRN, NP]

I agree with Carrie_RN that this "war of Christmas" is a political battle between atheists and Christians.

I'm sorry, but that is possibly one of the silliest and also nastiest things said so far on this thread.

Atheists do not have a "war on christmas". This is nonsense propagated by the media like Fox news. I have heard EVERY president in my lifetime wish people a merry Christmas. It is only the clown who is the current president who said "now we can say merry Christmas again".

I stated earlier in this thread that I as an atheist wish people merry Christmas so please stick to the truth and do not let your prejudices get in the way.I

Edited to add, Carrie did not say there was a war on christmas, she said "the SO CALLED war on christmas".

[elkpark]

No one's even bothered to mention (I think; I haven't gone back and reread the entire thread) that plenty of people celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday, with no religious connotations at all (just as many people do with Easter). I know plenty of atheists and agnostics (and non-practicing Jews) who celebrate Christmas with all the bells and whistles, as a purely secular and cultural holiday.

I agree that the OP is making 'way too big a deal about this. Wish people "happy holidays" and keep moving. I don't really see what the big deal is. Unless your intent really is to offend or pick fights with people you disagree with ...

[Golden_RN, MSN]

Sometimes I feel like diversity is not strength unless people are willing to be inclusive. Have you seen how Christians on the media complain about people not saying "merry Christmas"? They act like without Jesus people have no reason to celebrate the season.

Sorry. This country is not a Christian theocratic state. Christians should feel free to wish "merry Christmas" to anyone. They should also accept the fact that other people from different faith systems will respond differently. Christians can own Christmas, but they don't own winter season. With or without Jesus, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule,...still occur. Just because our government do not make those days become holiday observance does not mean they don't have meanings to people who celebrate them.

This is a nursing forum. While I don't disagree with you, you are not saying anything that has anything to do with our profession. Have a happy holiday season.

[Emergent, RN]

Christmas is really an adaptation of a pagan seasonal holiday to a Christian theme. Jesus was actually born in the spring. Since his birth ushers in the renewal and redemption of the human race, what better time to celebrate that when the darkening of the days is over and start lengthening!

This is especially evident in the more Northern regions where Christianity eventually took root, and the winter solstice is a bigger deal.