Can you feel it in the air? Can you tell what time of the year it is? It starts in September, rapid-fire. What are we doing for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas – er, I mean, the holidays?

Almost no one has an issue with Halloween, and after years of telling the little ones to take nothing from strangers, we dress up our little people, scare the life out of them and then tell them it’s funny. Make sure you check your candy and don’t talk to strangers – except for those people in masks giving out candy because they’re not really strangers – just people dressed up strangely and giving out candy, people you might not be safe with …

And then there’s Thanksgiving, if you can get past the revisionist history that says Columbus massacred the Indians and then gave thanks, and you decide to study up on the real story instead of swallowing the load of garbage you’re being fed. You will simply give thanks and enjoy the time with your family…

Then the real battle begins. No, not the deciding what to buy for whom, or who gets a gift at the office and who doesn’t; not even what credit card to max out – but can I say “Merry Christmas?” Well, can you?

I was at S###cuts the other day. I noticed there were no Christmas or “holiday” decorations up. When I asked, I was told the corporate office says there is not to be any type of celebration of the Christmas-holiday season. Odd. (But you could by a little gift card with a snowman on it. Confusing.)

Why? “We might offend someone.” Well, you just did. Me. And I make up the 72 percent of Americans who say they believe in God, and a larger percentage who say they are not offended when offered a “Merry Christmas” in a genuine way.

Some of you who listen to my radio show know I have been doing a “Faith Fridays” segment. I have had a rabbi, an atheist, a pastor, a shwami and a spiritualist, and when asked if they are offended by Christmas, it is usually no. When you ask most people in the streets, the answer again is, no. So what’s the problem? The majority of people have spoken. “Let them eat cake.”

Look. The real problem is a small group of people who think justice is done only when THEY are satisfied with the outcome. The Earth is off its axis and tilting more toward insanity every day. We have a school district declaring that gift exchanges in the classroom can’t be made because they are too “religious” in nature. Huh? Giving someone a gift is religious? Or only during the “holiday” giving season? You atheists had better stay away from gift giving and receiving.

Then there is a school district banning Santa from being on the school grounds during the day. Huh? Why? Because he is a religious symbol. Really? When did that happen?

Then there is the group that is asking us to boycott Santas ringing the bells for the Salvation Army. Seriously? Why? Because the Salvation Army doesn’t condone the gay, lesbian and transgender lifestyles. However, if a gay, lesbian or transgender person shows up at a Salvation Army establishment for help, they are NOT turned away, and I don’t even think that’s a question on the application.

And here’s where the 99ers come in. Why is it OK to say “Merry Christmas?” Because 99 percent of the American population will smile when you say it, and it usually follows with, “and a Merry Christmas to you.” And that’s a good thing.

Because Christmas means that 99 percent of the people are actually out there focused and hunting down something they can get or do for someone to brighten up a person or loved one’s day. And that’s a good thing.

For a brief period of time – yes, Christmastime – more people are employed, families take the time to come together, and as painful as it is at times, they work to enjoy each other’s company .

And even the atheist, non-Christmas believer takes advantage of this time. They usually get the day off with pay or work it at double time-and-a-half. The government takes the Christmas break off.  (So much for “church and state separation.” Where is that again?)

And for those of us who really understand the meaning of the season, we got the best Gift of all.

Yup, Jesus, the ultimate Gift given to us, and He is really the reason for the season and the reason we have the season. So whether or not you believe, whether or not you prefer “Happy Holidays,” too bad. I got the column today, and you will receive a “Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year” from my family to yours.

Joe Messina is host of The Real Side (TheRealSide.com), a nationally syndicated talk show that runs on AM-1220 KHTS radio and SCVTV [here]. He is also an elected member of the Hart School Board. His commentary publishes Mondays.