Nashville—Most Americans believe Christmas goes better with a visit to church, religious Christmas songs in public school concerts, and more focus on Jesus, a LifeWay Research survey shows.

And while there’s much banter on cable TV talk programs about a “War on Christmas,” most Americans are fine when people wish them “Happy Holidays,” according to the study. This year’s latest controversy regarding Christmas involves atheist billboards featuring a fictional letter from a little girl who says she’s too old for fairy tales. “Dear Santa,” the billboard reads, “All I want for Christmas is to skip church.”

No thanks, say most Americans, according to the survey. The study asked 1,000 Americans about their views on Christmas in a phone survey Sept. 26 to Oct. 5, 2014.

Scott McConnell, vice-president of Nashville-based LifeWay Research, noted “Christmas traditions that have nothing to do with the Christian faith continue to multiply. Still, most Americans want more of Jesus in their Christmas rather than less.”

Among the findings:

Church remains an essential part of Christmas.

Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of Americans agree Christmas should include a trip to church. A third (32 percent) disagree, while 4 percent are unsure.

Younger Americans are least interested in church at Christmas time. Fewer than four in 10 (38 percent) of those 18 to 24 say church is an essential part of Christmas, followed by 55 percent of those 25 to 34.

Christians (77 percent) are more likely to agree than those from other faiths (44 percent) and the Nones (28 percent).