Christmas is merrier with Christ

"Religious people seem to have a greater purpose in life, which is why they are happier," said Dr. Stephen Joseph of the University of Warwick, who conducted the poll.

Based on surveys of 57 men and 44 women from Britain who completed complex questionnaires, Joseph concluded people who get caught up in the trappings of Christmas shopping suffer the most during the yuletide.

"People who strive for materialistic things at the expense of other intrinsic things such as friends or family were the unhappiest," said Joseph. "Christmas straddles both sides of the problem – you are buying a lot of material things and overlooking the Christian message."

"Looking at the research evidence," he told the Washington Times, "it seems those who celebrate the Christian meaning of Christmas are, on the whole, likely to be happier. The research shows that too much materialism in our lives can be terrible for happiness."

The findings also suggest that people who mark the holiday season by making charitable donations and participating in community service are happier than those looking to fatten their own wallets.

Americans' spirituality continues long after the Christmas wrapping paper and bows have been discarded, according to another survey.

A Gallup poll of 1,004 adults released Friday found 61 percent surveyed said religion is "very important in their own lives," and almost two-thirds reported they are a member of a church or synagogue.

'T'was the night before Christmas and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy with Christmas time chores –
Like decorating, and baking, and shopping in stores.
No one sang "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed".
Instead, they sang of Santa dressed-up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart, Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour the presents they'd wrap
when what from the T.V. did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad.. which told of a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall they all flew like a flash...
Buying things on credit...and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home from their trip to the mall,
did they think about Jesus? Oh, no... not at all.

Their lives were so busy with their Christmas time things
No time to remember Christ Jesus, the King.
There were presents to wrap and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior...they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time to "Shop til they dropped!"
On Wal-mart! On K-mart! On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales! A quick lunch at Denny's

from the big stores downtown to the stores at the mall
they would dash away, dash away, and visit them all!

And up on the roof, there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights up on his brand new stepladder.

He hung lights that would flash. He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus... Light of the World.
Christ's eyes... how they twinkle! Christ's Spirit... how merry!
Christ's love... how enormous! All our burdens... He'll carry!

So instead of being busy, overworked, and uptight
Let's put Christ back in Christmas and enjoy some good nights!

Merry Christmas, my friends!

(Author unknown)

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