Jesus Weeps

Letter to the Editor, published Dec. 18, 2005 in the Stockton Record (CA) (emphases mine)

Why are some people angry at retailers for using Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas? What do retailers have to do with the true meaning of Christmas? They're in the business of selling merchandise, which has absolutely nothing to do with the birth of Christ. They're wishing a happy winter holiday season to all customers, including those who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Rohatsu, Ramadan and Epiphany. All of these people love and worship God and celebrate during December and January.

It's shameful how Christmas is celebrated today by shopping, shopping and more shopping. What do people say to each other during December? They say, "Is your Christmas shopping done yet?" This important event has been reduced to the obligation of giving retail merchandise to each other. What does that have to do with the birth of Christ? The original symbolism of the gifts of the Magi has been lost to crass commercialism. The proper place to celebrate the birth of Christ is not in retail stores, but at church or at home with your family. Pat Yee, Valley Springs

This sums up my own opinion about the so-called "war" on Christmas pretty well. Although I would also add the New Year to the list of holidays I thought we were celebrating (a secular one at that)! It's so ironic that, supposedly, Jesus drove the merchants from the temple to show that materialism and spirituality don't mix.