Dec. 21, 2006

Some of you expressed disdain at seeing too much "happy holidays" and not enough "Merry Christmas" around MSN, so last week we put that up for further debate – plus a vote.

Consider a comment shared by John of the Twin Cities in  Minnesota:

"In this overly PC world I wanted to know the answer to this question myself and am glad to see that 76% of the people would rather say Merry Christmas ... exactly as I do. And you know I am right because I am Time's Man of the Year! ;-)"

Don Sena, managing editor for MSN’s homepage team, says readers writing in about this issue – Christmas vs. holiday – is as certain as the solstice. 

Wrong priorities
"After reading some of the letters posted ... I have to agree that people in the U.S. have their priorities screwed up ... me among them sometimes.

"We put so much effort and coverage into things that don't matter -- Hollywood, sports, etc. We need to hear more about the teacher who is making a difference, one student at a time; the police officer who kept the neighborhood kids in line and helped them understand they can be successful; the doctor who donates time at the free clinic; and the dad or mom who work their tails off and still come home and raise wonderful, respectful, intelligent kids who grow up to be productive members of society.

"We need more reality, not reality TV ... I don't know of anyone who has ever had 23 women falling all over them for marriage over the span of two weeks like you see on 'The Bachelor.' That's not reality."

It's also not reality, as editors staffing a portal, to be perfect every day, especially when it comes to the volume of news, variety of news sources (or lack of them) and other newsroom pressures (which will be discussed in coming weeks). But each day we give it a new shot. And each day, we welcome your letters.

"Using the word 'holiday' is important because Christmas isn’t the only holiday people are celebrating at this time of year," he says. "For instance, family celebrations, parties or even shopping may be centered around Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. However, we wouldn’t write, 'Where to find the best holiday tree.' Why? Calling it a Christmas tree is most accurate. It is not about being politically correct; it's about being accurate and inclusive."

So that's the official word on how editors handle the season. But many readers shared good points, especially Lori, of Clinton, Iowa. 

"I am a Christian Protestant, and I was always taught in Sunday School that this time of year, the four weeks prior to Christmas Day, was called Advent.  Christmas begins on Dec. 25 and continues until Jan. 6, 12 days later, when biblical scholars believed the Three Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem. Hence the tradition of the 12 days of Christmas.  I refer to Dec. 25 through Jan. 6 as 'Merry Christmas' and prior to that, during Advent, I say 'Happy Holidays.'  Of course, real Christians have allowed secular Christianity to take over our holidays, and the retail stores have defined for us when Christmas starts (which to them is usually around Halloween) and when it should end (usually midnight on Dec. 25!).

"This really upsets me.  Radio stations do it, too.  They stop playing Christmas music at midnight on Dec. 26, when my family and I are celebrating the second day of the 12 days of Christmas!"

Christian or not, we all probably agree this time of year is pretty commercial, and it takes some work to remember that people are celebrating many things.

Like Gary, a San Diego resident, who starts to celebrate a special time of year when he hears "The Little Drummer Boy." "…(It's) a holiday of love, forgiveness and knowing all persons have a right to be happy. … This holiday is the freedom of choice, hope and charity. "

It's also a time for friends and family, and for letting those merry gentlemen and gentlewomen get some rest. Many MSN editors will work extra hard during the last two weeks of December as their colleagues take some time off.

We'll resume this conversation in January, when we explore more deeply what's important to you. Time magazine may have named you, as an Internet user, as Person of the Year just passed. But to us at MSN.com, you and your views are critical to the many years coming up.

Please weigh in on what you'd like to see more of on MSN in 2007. The letter-to-the-editor form is just a click away.