A few days before Christmas, I had a post in which I linked to an article about “Merry Christmas” — one of those you-can’t-say-it stories. A governmental department in Britain was being Grinchy. I wrote,

This reminded me of one of my favorite stories, or facts. I have a friend who worked at a Catholic relief organization. My friend is Jewish. In December, he was the only one in the joint who said “Merry Christmas.” The rest were either scared or conditioned.

I received a letter from a reader, saying,

I loved your note about your friend who wished his colleagues a “Merry Christmas.” As an observant Jew, I do the same to everyone from colleagues to store clerks. It’s a special day for them, so why should I not wish them joy?
When I’m feeling particularly audacious, I’ll wish them a “blessed Christmas.” Most of the time their jaws drop with a “You’re not supposed to say that” look. But then they see my kippah and smile.