During the traditional seasons of Hanukkah and Christmas, two things are certain. There will be cries from one quarter that Christians stole a pagan holiday and turned it into a religious holiday, and the use of the greeting "Merry Christmas" is offensive to non-Christians.

There will be equally loud cries from the other camp that they are stealing Christmas and killing Jesus. Both sides will quote scripture and law and history in support of their position. The one side will claim their efforts to abolish Christmas celebration, except in one's home, is done in the interest of protecting "religious freedom" for everyone.

I'm not sure how restricting the freedom of the majority, or banning the use of greetings like "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah" is going to protect anything.

Their efforts have met with some success. Schools now have winter break, instead of Christmas Holidays, although it mysteriously coincides with the traditional Christmas season. Hallmark no longer makes Christmas cards, but has a nice selection of holiday cards. Christmas trees are gradually being replaced by holiday trees. The traditional "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah" greeting has been replaced with Happy Holidays or Season's Greetings.

It is important to understand, though, that they have not even come close to killing the true spirit of Christmas. It lives in the heart. It is the spirit of giving and sharing. It lives in The Empty Stocking Fund and Cobb Cares. It lives in the Marine Corps Reserve's "Toys for Tots" and the Salvation Army's Santa Claus bell ringers.

Scrooge tried to kill it in the immortal Dickens classic. The Grinch tried to steal it in the story by Dr. Seuss. Yet it lives. It lives in the hundreds and thousands of other organizations which exist to spread the joy of Christmas. The Spirit of this season is alive and well in the hearts of people everywhere.

The fact that we celebrate the birth of Christ on what was a pagan holiday is unimportant. The fact that we celebrate it, and we still celebrate Hanukkah, is what is important and they have not succeeded in stopping that.

This season, instead of expending energy fighting things you cannot change, thereby spoiling the mood of the season, turn to positive expressions of the Spirit of Christmas. Refuse to let the words or actions of others control your mood and dampen that Christmas Spirit.

Put your religious symbols, whether they be menorahs or nativity scenes, on your lawns and your church grounds. Chances are your neighbors will, too. If we all did that, would it really matter that there is not one on the courthouse lawn or the town square?

Visit someone in a nursing home. They need to know that someone cares. Send a Christmas card or Hanukkah greeting and/or a care package to a serviceman who will be away from home for the holidays. They need to know they are not forgotten. Help deliver meals to the sick and elderly, or toys to a children's hospital. Help prepare and serve meals at one of the many places that distribute meals to the poor and homeless.

There are so many ways to give of your time and talent, and thereby enrich the lives of others; you cannot possibly do them all. They transcend Christian, Jewish or atheistic labels.

If you take advantage of even one-tenth of them, you will be too busy to concern yourself with the rants of those unfortunates who have nothing to celebrate. And, I guarantee that you will feel the Spirit of Christmas in a way you have never felt it before, and you will keep the spirit of the season alive for someone less fortunate.

The greeting "Merry Christmas" is probably the greatest wish one person can express to another. It transcends the religious connection. It encompasses a wish for, not only personal peace and happiness, but peace and joy throughout the world and for love, peace and happiness for all people everywhere, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, atheists, Mulims, etc.

It is an all encompassing hope for everything that is good. So, when someone wishes you "Happy Holidays," instead of getting upset, wish them a "Merry Christmas." You will feel a lot better and they just might too.

So, to all the Grinches and Scrooges out there, and to everyone else, we say "Merry Christmas! Do what you will. You won't kill the spirit of Christmas.

Pete Borden is a mason in east Cobb.