Christmas is not and was not "Xmas." It was also, happy or not, not "Holidays." It wasn't your birthday, or your child's, or mine; it was Christ's birthday. Those who do not celebrate Christmas because they follow another religion or are unbelievers, ought to respect and tolerate Christians.
A silly Facebook friend who is an atheist sent an unwelcome message: "for those who believe this nonsense and mumbo jumbo, I hope you have a happy Christmas." Did that come from the heart?
I'll bet the same silly person would never dream of posting a similar message to Muslims on their holy days; or to Jews or Hindus or Buddhists on theirs. And rightly so.
People who have no religion have no idea of the strength, the comfort and the power that belief can bring. In a troubled and uncertain world, believers are fortunate because they have a power higher than themselves to help make them better, kinder, gentler and more generous.
On Christmas Day, the hundreds of people who took communion at our church in Johannesburg mirrored the many millions doing so throughout the world. We do not regard ourselves as perfect; many of us need religion more than others do because we are conscious of our own shortcomings and imperfections. Christians live in hope of becoming better people.
Exactly the same applies to the adherents of all the other religions. They too are entitled to respect. But when religion becomes intolerant, disrespects others' beliefs and lifestyle choices or feels superior, it goes off the rails.
Christians who fight each other in the name of God are going straight to Hell, as far as I am concerned. The same goes for those Muslims who kill each other and adherents of other religions and actually believe they are serving God in doing so. To me that is the worst blasphemy. As soon as extremism comes in, evil also comes in.
I am an Anglican, but I like the new Pope. Pope Francis made a profound declaration a few months ago: "Who am I to judge," he said. That did not mean that the Catholic Church will stop teaching what it believes is the way and the truth. What it does mean is that sinners - and that includes everyone - will be loved and welcomed in a church that exists to help those who believe to salvation and those who are poor, sick or lonely.
The Muslim organisation in the UK that last week condemned extremism and fanaticism by the killers of the young soldier is a force for good in the UK. Religion, Christian or otherwise, is generally a force for good in the world.
Christmas is an opportunity to celebrate Christ's birth; to become nicer people; to think of others; to renew bonds of love and friendship and to give and receive hospitality. It is a wonderful time. I hope next year its meaning will be respected and appreciated- even by those who are not Christians.
My New Year's resolution is to be more tolerant and respectful of others' religions, or lack of religion, their culture, traditions and lifestyle choices. What is yours?
Douglas Gibson is former Opposition Chief Whip and former ambassador to Thailand. He can be followed on Twitter @dhmgibson
This article first appeared in The Citizen.
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