On the other hand, the idea that honoring Christian traditions is taboo, and that they must be banned while affording full respect to other faiths, is just wrong.
I don't care if sectarian-type people celebrate Christmas as the "Great Day Off With Presents" or the celebration of the birth of the baby Santa, I don't care if Muslims or Jews ignore it altogether.
It's a Christian holiday, and it should be keep holy. But it's only one day. not the entire season. And as long as Macy's isn't marketing exclusively to Christians (riiiiight...),they get a pass for using the more generic greeting.
However, I'm Christian, and if ya know that and you are addressing just me and not a group, I expect "Merry Christmas". Just as I would wish others a happy Hanukah or happy Ramadan if I knew that to be appropriate. (To those who have objections to a religious-toned message, I usually just say "have a nice day off".
That would be very wrong. Is that what happened here? It looks like it did not.
Last Christmas when I had a whole cartload of Christmas stuff - cards, ornaments, even a creche - the salesclerk at Wally's said "Happy Holidays" and I pointed out to her that if you see ACTUALLY CHRISTIAN stuff in the cart, "Merry Christmas" is a safe thing to say.
I say Merry Chistmas to everyone and anyone. No one has ever complained - Not that that would make any difference. I will be a cool day in Hades before I say Season's Greeting's or Happy Holidays to anyone.