Today was a good day.  In large part because I stayed home from work and spent the whole day annihilating the pile of three-month old mail on my desk.  It ain't all done yet, but it's much closer than it was.

The last week or two has been filled with work-related holiday parties, all very nice.  But I've been very conscious of the  "what do you say to someone to wish them well during the month" awkwardness.  I'm somewhat caught between two worlds here.  As an evangelical Christian, I want to wish people a Merry Christmas.  But I also know that's not appropriate in many settings, especially if the recipient of those greetings doesn't observe the holiday.  But then those inside the Christian community tend to throw a snit in response to people who won't wish them a Merry Christmas.

The alternatives aren't as palatable.  "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" just seems ... so stilted, really.  It doesn't roll off the lips easily.  (Though I do recall that "Happy Holidays" was an Irving Berlin song, so I guess that has potential.)

But today as I was thinking about this, I realized that "Happy New Year" works very well.  As far as I know, there really isn't anyone opposed to celebrating the new year.  So it's a nice, universal, safe way to wish someone well.

So ... Happy New Year, y'all.