In this case there was no mention of other holidays that other faiths celebrate in this time of year -- or any other time of year, for that matter. If Denver was really truly inclusive of all religions, I wouldn't have an issue with a "Merry Christmas" sign, or even a nativity scene. But in that case if there's even one Ba'hai member in Denver who requests city-paid neon lighting on the front of City Hall for the entirety of May to celebrate the Declaration of the Bab, then the city is obligated to give it, free of charge. I'm being very accomodating to Christians here compared to some people. I just know that the rightist Evangelicals who get up in arms over this stuff will never agree to equal time and equal space.
Ah, yes! It was originally adopted by the Romans as a part of the (pagan) feast of Saturnalia. Since they already had some party dates lined up, they just decided to tack on the birth when they adopted Christianity as their religion. Fun stuff. the Romans really knew how to party.
My beef with the whole "Happy Holidays" is how it has spread. It is no longer only for the last few weeks of December. In fact, I got more "Happy Holidays" for Thanksgiving then "Happy Thanksgiving"'s. I mean who is offended by "Happy Thanksgiving"? Don't we all celebrate it in the US?
Remember, we don't want to offend people of non-christian faith now do we? Meanwhile, here's some PC Christmas for ya all. http://www.airfarce.com/video/021213bh.ram
I remember reading an article in a British newspaper 5 or 6 years ago (I was in Ireland at the time) about a decorated Royal Army vet who wanted to join the police force of some major city (can't remember which), but was denied because he had a tattoo that the PD suits were afraid would be offensive to "ethnic minorities". The tattoo?? A Union Jack.