Letter: Christmas not be celebrated by all

In relation to the letter about Christmas diplays ["Christmas display hoo-ha begins early," Nov. 15], I would like to clarify that although, yes, Christmas is a national holiday, it is clearly based upon a Christian religious observance: the birth of Christ. The writer states that it should be celebrated by all Americans. I disagree.

Not being Christian, my family and I don't celebrate the birth of Christ, but we love seeing the beautiful displays. We can appreciate another culture without actually desiring to participate in it.

We are not offended by someone wishing us a Merry Christmas, but prefer to hear "Happy Holiday," since this is inclusive of everyone.

Americans are multi-ethnic and have the right to celebrate holidays -- or not -- that are meaningful to them, and not just because our government long ago decided to make a religious holiday a national holiday.

Sherry Eckstein, Huntington