"Happy Holidays" is rapidly taking over as the most socially accepted form of holiday well-wishing, as opposed to the less politically correct "Merry Christmas."
The fall season, home of the chilly breeze, color-changing leaves and hot cider, is also the home of holidays. While Halloween and Thanksgiving are widely celebrated and rarely contested, December's holiday is often perceived as a point of contention, in both the secular and spiritual communities.
This may not be completely true, though. In Lincoln, tolerance and acceptance of individual beliefs, along with a general sense of joy for the season itself, may be bridging the gap between various religions and secular holiday traditions.
Jan Deeds, the director of the Women's Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is a Celtic Wiccan. Wiccans believe in the power and beauty of nature. Their beliefs are rooted in a pre-Christian tradition.
"Many Christian traditions are rooted in pagan traditions," Deeds said.
The lights, trees and mistletoe often associated with the season are all now seen as Christian signs, but they can be related back to Wicca's emphasis on nature, growth and change.
Deeds enjoys knowing her beliefs are the roots of the Christian traditions, which are widely celebrated.
"I kind of like that I find some … secret knowledge," she said. "I know the rest of the story."
While Deeds does not celebrate Christmas in the Christian sense of the holiday, she is not unfamiliar with the ideas and beliefs.
"I grew up in the Episcopal Church," Deeds said. "I am familiar with Christian holidays."
During the time many Christians are celebrating Christmas, Deeds celebrates the turning of the year and the changing seasons.
"I feel connected to nature," she said.
When she celebrated Christmas, Deeds found herself disappointed after the holiday ended. She felt a build-up of excitement and expectation for Christmas, but afterward, it seemed to lead directly into the drab, cold winter season.
Now, she said, she feels happier appreciating nature and the seasons themselves.
"It feels like the beginning, rather than the end of a season, and that gives me great joy," Deeds said.
Many individuals, even those who are not Wiccan, Christian or other specific religions, celebrate something during this season that is related to light and the solstice, Deeds said.
Deeds emphasized a need for tolerance during the season. While she does not actively engage in Christian traditions, she does appreciate people who do. She also attends Ramadan night and often attends Seders at friends' homes during Hanukkah.
"I feel sad that we don't recognize other traditions; spirituality is a very personal thing," Deeds said.
Matt McGrew, a pastor at the Indian Hills Community Church, agrees that acceptance is important.
While many Christians are often perceived as hostile towards the secularization and commercialization of the Christmas season, McGrew advocates personal choice and tolerance in beliefs.
"I understand from a practical standpoint that not everybody is interested in the Christian methods, and that's not why everyone is celebrating this time of year," McGrew said.
"People are free to have their own beliefs and celebrate the way they want to celebrate, but this certainly is a time for Christians to celebrate the birth of Christ," he continued.
McGrew acknowledges there are Christians who are offended by society's politically correct emphasis toward inclusiveness during the season, but he personally disagrees.
Beliefs are not "something you can force on people; you can't try to force them to believe what you want them to believe," MeGrew said. "It ultimately comes down to personal choice."
McGrew emphasizes, however, that while the season should be about personal beliefs and choices, it is also a great time for Christians to share their beliefs about both the birth and death of Christ.
"I do encourage people this time of year to open up God's word and read the Christmas story. We always talk this time of year not just about the birth of Christ but the death of Christ, because that's why he came to Earth in the first place - to die for our sins."
The holiday season is here, and according to people like Deeds and McGrew, acceptance and tolerance for individual beliefs, or lack of beliefs, will be spread just as far as good tidings and joy.
