[CalcuttaIke]

How much time is spent sitting in front of a television set, watching the Grinch, versus the time spent kneeling before a manger scene, contemplating the mystery of the Incarnation?

Many of us do, but how much better it would be that "most" or "all" Christians do?

As Christians, we're not directed to be fanatical about our religion and that is why there is a vast difference between Christians and Muslims.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Happy Holy Day.

[rjp2005]

Don't even ask about Advent - commercial business has no time for that season! Christmas starts late October according to most stores.

[NC28203]

I'd like to wish you all a Hope Filled Advent!

[Emmett McCarthy]

The other day the guy ringing the bell and manning the collection pot for the Salvation Army outside my local grocery store said "Happy Holidays" to me. I said, "No, Merry Christmas! The Salvation Army is the only place I will contribute money outside of my church, but don't forget who put the 'salvation' in The Salvation Army."

I hope not to hear "Happy Holidays" from him again.

On a much brighter note, I phoned a construction outfit which had a bid from me on a project and the receptionist answered with "Merry Christmas". I really like that company now, whether they accept my bid or not.

[IrishBrigade]

...the meaning of your post is unclear...are you intimating that if we, as Christians, steadfastly reflect upon the religiosity of Christmas, this comports with fanaticism and likens us to Islamofacists?

[wolfcreek]

I was in a dentist's office yesterday, looking over their ?Christmas? card collection. Not One of the cards said anything about Christmas. People are so afraid they might offend a client or a co-worker, they're self-perpetuating this form of PC. I've been in business for myself for nearly a quarter of a century and say Merry Christmas to all I see during the day. Not once has anyone ever appeared to be offended and most return the comment.

[Monterrosa-24]

""I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round — apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that — as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely.... And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!""

I think the author gives a poor interpretation of the above words. The character speaks of the "veneration DUE" to its "sacred" namesake.

I also must disagree that Puritanism evolved into Unitarianism. The Hugh Peters and Cotton Mathers did not become the Adlai Stephensons. Rather the makeup of the colonies changed. One should note some differences between the Unitarianism of 1840 and that of today and note the strong words directed at such liberalism at the time from other Christian sects in the Northeast.

[joesbucks]

I am so sick of the "War on Christmas" hand wringers that I'm declaring war on them.

There are so many holidays between Thanksgiving and the New Year that it IS the holiday season. More "holidays", official, Christian or not, fall in this 45 day period than at any other time of the year. Yes Christmas is front and center. But what does the word holiday represent. The same as Christmas. It's representing a Holy Day.

Frankly, virtually every organization fronting the concern of the "War on Christmas" is in it for the same $$ that Penny's Sears and Macy's. This is probably thier businest time along with the highest amount of money coming in.

[betsyross1776]

LOOk this war will go on as long as Christmas is honored . The idea is not to stop the trees or the presents, the idea is to stop the miracle of the baby who was born on Christmas . I know all about what they say, it was not the day He was born etc. The idea of the other faiths is to get the man who finally talked , love and above all peace. JESUS will survive as long as one of us is alive to tell of his birth, life and death and of course resurrection. We Christians all know what we ARE against in America and across the world. This is a war of ideas and when they find out about on solidarity life, the SON OF GOD WHO BECAME MAN SUFFERED AND DIED FOR US WILL SURVIVE.

[WV Mountain Mama]

I always mail Christmas cards and I make sure it says Christmas specifically, with religious pictures, etc on the cards. I am always saddened at how hard it is to find cards with the specific message of Christmas on them.

[AmericanInTokyo]

A very convincing, (and CONVICTING) article.

Extremely well-written.

It reverberated in THIS heart.

[Xenalyte]

How come it's necessary to kneel for contemplation? Why can't contemplating be done while sitting?

[Cucumber]

it's a sad world.

I blame the satan's in the school districts brainwashing the many students who pass through their classrooms. It's social engineering.

[napscoordinator]

The Reagans are the ruination of Christmas! How could they? Huge sarc!!!!!