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MARQUETTE --

It's a sign of the times-- as we countdown to Christmas, you're more likely to see and hear various seasonal greetings.

The most common of which, would be Merry Christmas.

“I've been saying Merry Christmas to everyone I meet in town,” said Lyn Durant.

Durant is the owner of the Cedar Motor Inn, and she hasn't just been verbally wishing people a Merry Christmas, she's one of the few Marquette businesses owners to display the greeting on her marquee.

“Well, it bothers me that people are taking Christ out of Christmas,” comments Durant.  “I think I need to tell my guests and my town how important that is.”

In an effort to be politically correct along with the hopes of not offending someone of a different religious background, some businesses and people rather use the greeting “Happy Holidays.”

“The whole idea of people being somehow offended or defensive about having been wished or wishing to others a Merry Christmas just seems awfully foreign to me,” says Jim Stedman, owner of Lighthouse Christian Bookstore.  “It’s all about joy and I don't see anyth

Whether it’s said aloud or written out, the majority of online users who participated in the TV6 Web Poll preferred Merry Christmas.

This week's question asked: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?  Which would you rather say and hear?

More than 1,800 people answered.

81% said Merry Christmas.

10% favored “Happy Holidays”

9% said they rather hear and say Bah Humbug.

I like happy holidays,” says Zack Delpier of Marquette, “It’s a little more inclusive.  You get to talk to a little more people that way.

Although, no matter how this season's greeting is said, the wish for joy, happiness and comfort is still the underlying message.