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...as if anyone shops at Wal-Mart for its smalltown homey atmosphere. You know, chat with the stockboy about the local high school football team, trade barbs with the soda jerk, talk a little friendly politics the hardware clerk...

Give me a break. If Americans actually gave a crap about having friendly, respectful store clerks that wish you Merry Christmas and know your name and (dare I say it) care about what's important to you, the entire concept of Wal-Mart would've been an absolute no-go. Instead, we know the opposite to be true, as it is the most popular company on the planet!

I'm not saying it's good, I'm just point out reality. We traded friendly merchant faces wishing us Merry Christmas decades ago for butt-cheap prices...and did it gladly.

I don't know about the Walmart where you shop, but I do chat with the stockboy about local school sports, and the clerks do know my name, and my kids names. They have time for hugs from my boys, and take time to find out how I am doing.

My Wlamart is just as packed with Christmas stuff as the local KMart. I refuse to shop at Target because of their support of gay groups and their complete lack of support for groups like Salvation Army.

I, for one, will not boycott Walmart because they recognize a different religion than mine. If they ever completely rid themselves of all things Christian I will consider it. But i know that when I am shopping for gifts (music, books, etc) I can usually find Christian content. My son actually shops there first for his Christian conhtemporary music because of its availability and reasonale pricing there at Walmart.

That is the problem we as christians have, we have traded the birth of Christ for walmart shopping. A few years back I decided to make Christmas about Christ. The gift giving is next to nothing. I try when I can to give to those truly less fortunate. At that time I would try to send money to the Marian Helpers for their vocations program. My tree is all about angels, stars the nativity, baby Jesus. I am trying to make it more special for me and my family. What is it about Christmas that everyone has to go out and spend thousands of dollars to give gifts to people who really don't need them. So we and the retailers have changed what Christmas is all about. I tried to get a door decoration and all I could find was Santa, or a reindeer. That is what the truth is we have changed what Christmas means to us and the retailers have done their part as well. You see they want us to celebrate Christmas because it is good for business, but they are in it for themselves and could care less if it is a religious holiday. But have you ever heard of a Hanukkah day after sale. Or how many stores close December 25 which just happens to be Christmas. If the retailers want to make money off Christmas fine but lets not pretend that is is about seasons greetings, its December 25 Christmas. And it belongs to the christians. And we need to put Christmas back to what it truly means.Then maybe others will take it more than just a day to go out and buy stuff they don't even need. God knows there are many people in need all across the country.