Alas, it has begun. The unshakable echoing of jingle bells in our ears, the waltz of sugar plums in our heads, (or at least what we assume to be sugar plums, since few of us really know what they are) and the sweet taste of Starbucks’ peppermint hot chocolate on our tongues.

The Christmas rush has begun, and with it comes one of the greatest debates of our time.

No, not the great Batman vs. Superman debate. Not the Dak Prescott vs. Tony Romo debate. Not even the dress is blue vs. gold debate.

Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas.

Yet another trivial issue that divides us.

If we say “Merry Christmas,” we “offend” people if we don’t know for sure what their religion is and are called “discriminatory” against other religions. We’re called conservative bigots that still live with the mindset of 1865.

If we say “Happy Holidays,” we’re not “true Christians” and might even offend the person we’re talking to if they are Christian. We’re liberals that are bringing this country’s moral principles to its knees.

It’s a no-win situation.

In schools, a simple greeting of “Merry Christmas” can land a student or teacher in hot water.

However, the Texas Legislature passed the Merry Christmas Bill in 2013. The law protects Texas’s right to acknowledge traditional winter holidays on school grounds, removing the legal risks of saying “Merry Christmas” in schools while also protecting traditional holiday symbols, such as a menorah or nativity scene, as long as more than one religion and a secular symbol are also reflected.

In today’s politically charged climate, we don’t need yet another thing to turn us against each other. We already have enough on our plates. The level of hatred in this country, coming from both sides, has reached a peak not seen in a long time. People are anxious, uncertain of the future and take it out on the other side, blaming the rain on their newly washed car on the “liberal media” who projected the weather wrong, and blaming their cough on the “Obama-Care-despising conservatives.”

The revival of this debate is the last thing we need.

While we can’t control what people say to us, we can control how to take it. Let’s not get offended over everything that moves. “Triggered” at a person having an opinion we don’t agree with.

Let’s make a pledge this Christmas season to come together and love each other, no matter our religion or race.

Love thy neighbor. In the spirit of Christmas.