To be clear personally and professionally are really different for me. Personally I accept any greetings, cards, gifts with the spirit they were intended. If someone says Merry Christmas then I respond the same. If I know someone's practices I will focus on that. If I know nothing I will say Happy Holidays.
However in school there are some common standards, with variation of course, and that is a separation of church and state. I think it is a lot to try and cover all the traditions and holidays personally so I like my winter theme. However I really have not seen so much Christmas in a school in a very long time so it is throwing me off. And I do realize I am making an unconscious judgement. I know that this can spark a lot of reactions so I want to share what is happening for me. My judgement is that these are people who will like me as long as they think i have certain things in common with them, however I can't assume they will continue to like or accept me. It is not that they are mean people or that they don't like me but finding out this religious difference sometimes makes people really uncomfortable. There have been times when someone has had no context for me other than knowing I would go to hell. I am pretty much like everyone else and just want a fair shot at being liked.