Have a Merry Christmas

I'm not particularly religious, and I dislike the religious right's attempts to tell me how to live. But I disagree with the Dec. 21 editorial on Mike Huckabee's Christmas ad. Christmas is an American tradition, and most people use it to celebrate the great things in life, whether they believe God or random quantum fluctuations are responsible.

So lighten up and have a merry Christmas!

THOMAS POLING

Frederick

I've had it with the fuss over whether to say "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas." For 30 years, my mother phoned me every Dec. 25 at 7 a.m. to say "Merry Christmas!" I'd reply, "Mom, we're Jewish," to which she would say, "I know, but I love the holidays. And what's wrong with peace on Earth and goodwill toward men?" Mom is gone, but her words seem more meaningful than ever.

TRACY LEVERTON

Vienna