It’s Christmas Eve and I would like to extend my wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

That’s right, I said Merry Christmas.

I am not one of those politically correct people who is wishing everyone a happy holiday!
I use happy holiday as a greeting when I am talking about both Christmas and New Years.

I see no need to take the Christ out of Christmas because I am a Christian and the reason for the season is the birth of Christ.

I have no problem with other religions and their holidays.

I have spent part of December learning much about Hanukkah and I am better for it.
There are plenty of religious holidays to choose from and I believe that each person should have a right to celebrate those holidays as they choose without interference from the outside world.

I don’t need anyone telling me that I cannot say Merry Christmas because it may offend someone.

If I offend someone with that simple greeting, then fine, I offended you.

I will say I am sorry if I did cause you some distress with two simple words, but I won’t stop using the greeting.

It’s just not in my nature.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ, but you probably wouldn’t know that from the amount of commercialism there is now surrounding the holiday.

I would love to go back to the days of my youth and celebrate Christmas the way we did in my house. It was about family and friend, not about the amount of gifts you receive and it was about the children.

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com. You can also read my blog at: leaderpubsports.blogspot.com