Call me stubborn, but aren’t we being called to resist the excessive commercialization? Why cede this beautiful holiday with all its traditions to the secular world? We let this happen, so we can change it.
Also, a lot of this over-commercialization is because Christmas is so beautiful and people care about it and cherish it–even many non-Christians. Excessive commercialization is bad, but throwing out Santa, Christmas trees, and presents is an over-reaction.
The well-known author and commentator Bill Bennett has a new book out on Santa Claus that makes the case that he is essential for our Christian culture:
christianpost.com/blogs/opinion/2009/12/saint-nicholas-and-santa-claus-21/
“Santa Claus is…the result of a Christ-inspired goodness that has rippled across seventeen centuries,… a manifestation of Saint Nicholas’s decision to give to others.”
Sounds like a good book for the season.
jb
