Our Society is Confused:

[Packerjohn]

I found this "letter to the editor" this morning in our local paper. I think the writer has it right:

Calling this season of consumer spending “Christmas” is a problem for Christians as well as people of other faiths. Christians have to explain to their children that, as Christians, they celebrate the coming of Jesus — and not the coming of Santa Claus.
If you watch television, as I do, you will notice the majority of “Christmas” programs celebrate the unifying myth of consumer society, the coming of Santa Claus

 

[treeguy64]

I found this "letter to the editor" this morning in our local paper. I think the writer has it right:

Calling this season of consumer spending “Christmas” is a problem for Christians as well as people of other faiths. Christians have to explain to their children that, as Christians, they celebrate the coming of Jesus — and not the coming of Santa Claus.
If you watch television, as I do, you will notice the majority of “Christmas” programs celebrate the unifying myth of consumer society, the coming of Santa Claus

I have not found that to be true on TV shows I've watched. However, I do believe that this holiday is more about consumerism than religion, and I have no problem with that.

 

[Camper6]

I just try to enjoy the Christmas season and especially the children.

Christmas without kids is 'blah'.

It's commercial now, but so what? You can still go to church.

 

[Aunt Bea]

Like so much of life, Christmas is what you choose to make it.

It would be easy enough to switch the words and the outlook from the season of spending/consuming to the season of generosity and goodwill towards others.

"When you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will." - 1960 Disney film Pollyanna

 

[Judycat]

Ha. You'd think everybody talking about a big hairy guy in a weird get up entering your house in the middle of the night carrying a sack would scare the hell out of kids.

 

[gennie]

It's all in how it's presented. Tell the story right and it's O.K.

Presentation is everything. In Christmas as well as life.

 

[peppermint]

I love to see the Children having a happy time with their gifts...It's not just Religion!....How many people go to church???
My Son....!! I'll be giving gifts to the young and old until I die....

I went to church almost my whole life....I only go now if there is a wedding, baptisim or death!!!! And, I had a lot of Death in my family.....

 

[Catlady]

The last time I went to church was in 1992, for my mother's funeral. But then, I'm not religious.

I agree that Christmas, and all other holidays, is too commercialized and not really about the topic (the birth of Jesus). But then, the merchants are not putting a gun to our heads to force us to buy, it's our problem and/or choice if we follow the Peter Piper of Christmas consumerism.