As we inch closer and closer to Dec. 25, we start hearing more holiday-themed greetings.

We hear them from family and friends, from the people ringing bells for donations outside stores and even from people we don’t know.

Unfortunately, with every person saying “Happy Holidays,” there is another person angry that they would dare disrespect the birth of Christ in such a blatant way.

These “snowflakes” believe that saying anything other than the words “Merry Christmas” is some kind of liberal affront to their sacred religious holiday. (See what I did there?)

The fact that many people in the U.S. recognize the validity of and even celebrate other holidays during this time of year makes them feel that their Christianity is being disrespected, disadvantaged and devalued.

Whether you’re one of these people or not, I’m here to tell you that there is, in fact, no such thing as a “War on Christmas.”

This myth has become so huge that even our president made comments about it in October, saying that “they don’t use the word ‘Christmas’ because it’s not politically correct.”

He promised that “we’re saying ‘Merry Christmas’ again.”

This problem is so bad that I once listened to an older woman at my parents’ church brag about how she pridefully took her dollar back from the Salvation Army volunteers after they responded to her donation with “Happy Holidays.”

Really? You’ve resorted to taking back charitable donations just because of an insignificant phrase?

Don’t think I hate Christmas. On the contrary, this is my favorite time of year.

In fact, I’m listening to a Nat King Cole Christmas album as I write this.

But this idea of making people say “Merry Christmas” for your own satisfaction is ridiculous.

So where did this fake controversy come from?

For the answer to that question, one may need to look no further than Fox News and their very own golden boy, Bill O’Reilly.

On his show in 2005, O’Reilly promoted a book called “The War on Christmas: How the Liberal Plot to Ban the Sacred Christian Holiday Is Worse Than You Thought.”

After that, he began to come back to the topic year after year, inciting even more outrage every time.

Fox News created an issue where there wasn’t one.

Many people say that this phrase just perpetuates political correctness, and is therefore taking away their religious freedoms.

If you agree with that, then I’ll ask you to consider this: About 70 percent of Americans identify as Christian.

In addition, about 90 percent of the U.S. Congress identifies as Christian.

How can religious freedom possibly be taken away from a group that makes up the majority of the country and its lawmakers?

It can’t. That’s why this controversy makes no sense.

The minority groups in this country who don’t celebrate Christmas have as much of a right to enjoy the holiday season as those who do celebrate it.

What’s wrong with being a little inclusive?

No one is attacking you for saying “Merry Christmas,” so don’t try to force others to conform to your way of thinking.

There is no organized secular attack on America’s favorite religious holiday.

Christmas is alive and well, just as it always has been.

So, Happy Holidays, everyone, and I hope you all have a great holiday break!