As Christmas nears, the same stale annual debate rears its ugly head. To say, or not to say Merry Christmas.

What is it that that people need or desire? The simplicities of life are overwhelming. Most people simply desire to know that they are cared for, appreciated, needed, accepted, loved; or simply even remembered. It is during this season of Christmas that such aspects should be personified and most extended to our families and neighbors - to even strangers on the street.

Christmas represents different things to different people, but never will any genuine act of kindness or generosity - be it through a warm holiday greeting, or any unselfish act motivated by an authentic concern of one for another - offend any personally held religious belief. Not even sharing ones religious belief. This is the foundation of almost all walks of Faith. If one does in fact find it offensive to be wished a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or even a Best of life and luck in 2010, - I suppose then such religious beliefs are as shallow and vain as the offended individual.