A US lawmaker, describing himself as unhappy about the trend of replacing "Merry Christmas" with "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays," has introduced a symbolic resolution to preserve Christmas.
"I am troubled by the growing sentiment that the phrase 'Merry Christmas' is not appropriate and I am worried that attempts to celebrate a 'politically correct' holiday season may cause the loss of some of the traditions sacred to this widely celebrated holiday," said Republican Representative Henry Brown.
"Why are we hard-pressed to say 'Season's Greetings' or 'Happy Holidays' yet, urged to avoid pronouncing the Christmas holiday and steered away from wishing others 'Merry Christmas'?" he asked Tuesday.
Brown introduced a non-binding resolution that "recognises the importance of the symbols and traditions of Christmas; strongly disapproves of attempts to ban references to Christmas; and expresses support for the use of these symbols and traditions by those who celebrate Christmas."
The measure, unveiled on Tuesday, had 18 other supporters as of Wednesday.
Henry, who hails from South Carolina, underlined that "there are many religions that celebrate a variety of holidays this month" and that the First Amendment of the US Constitution guaranteed their right to worship.
But "we must not forget that the true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ and I will continue to work to protect the sanctity of this great holiday," he said.
Some conservatives each year deplore what at least one commentator has described as "the war on Christmas" - including a tendency among some big retailers to offer a religion-neutral greeting.
Henry's comments came as Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi presided over the lighting of the US Capitol's Christmas tree and wished all those present a "merry Christmas."
US President Barack Obama lighted the National Christmas Tree one block from the White House on December 3, and the White House also has its own Christmas tree.
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