re: Is it patronizing to say "Merry Christmas" if you don't believe in God/Jesus?

Culturally, it's as much of a secular holiday about gift giving and Santa Claus as it is about Jesus.

Even the most devout Christians spend more time on Christmas opening gifts and giving presents than they do discussing and celebrating the arrival of the Messiah.

I think it's perfectly acceptable for anyone to say "Merry Christmas", and it's pretty silly for anyone else to care who says it or the perceived meaning behind it.