Have a Merry Christmas was Originally a Drinking Toast

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With all the silly conflict over whether to say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas, I read an article which I thought was hilarious. Apparently, when people first began to tell each other to have a Merry Christmas, it was originally a drinking toast ... encouraging those present to have another drink! Personally, I say Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, depending on who I am speaking to. For example, when I am at church or with my Christian friends, I say Merry Christmas. I also have friends who are atheist. I tell them Happy Holidays. They enjoy this time of year, despite their lack of faith. I have a Jewish son-in-law and several Jewish friends. I wish them Happy Hanukah and, later, Happy Holidays. We have some Muslim cousins, as well. Part of their family lives in Saudi Arabia and part of it lives in the United States. I wish them Happy Holidays. (Some people may not realize that many Muslims view Jesus as a Prophet, like Mohamed, and they also honor him.) Several of our neighbors are Buddhist, here in Southern California. They are all very sweet and I wish them Happy Holidays and give hugs to the ones I know best. I wish everyone Happy New Year. So ... there is something jolly you can say to everyone. And, if you want your Christian friends to have another drink, wish them Merry Christmas. Now, I'll pour myself another glass of wine. I plan to have a Merry Christmas, too!