Old Sigma, I am in whole-hearted agreement that these things should be addressed. But in love to our neighbors who observe Kwanzaa, not in self-righteousness to each other. Peace. P.S. February is Black History Month. November is American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month.

Dang, it's hard for me to get sarcasm to come out in this format. My "self-righteousnes" comment above and the "P.S." following it were supposed to be humorous. My apologies if it didn't come out that way. I am a work in progress and have a long way to go.

Sarcasm noted - we are a bit stuffy in our seriousness at times, and even using humor tends to have been distilled in dogma and doctrine. I can imagine that Mary would tell us that we are 'so cute when you're serious', and find joy just that we are her children. We are hers, and she is ours, and that connection made eternal is all we want or need - even if we giggle over it! Or, even look like Grumpy in a snit! And, Ruth, it takes more than saying 'Merry Christmas' for me to feel comfortable in many shops. My one regnant avoidance is of Target, who will not permit Salvation Army bell ringers at their portals. THAT action cannot be overcome by a billion 'Christmas' greetings. I do not darken Target's portals. I remain your obedient servant, but God's first, Pristinus Sapienter (wljewell @mail.catholicexchange.com or ...yahoo.com)

Ruth M.:

"But I wonder, should we not, as Christians, be asking if our "Christmas" shopping is a worse offense to our faith?"

We used to exchange gifts a week later (Epiphany aka Coming of the Maji) and keep Christmas as religious a celebration as possible with all the comercialism going on around us. Shopping after Christmas was always economical even if we often could not make the time to get out. Imagine if every Christian did this. (Probably would cost some people their jobs, though, wouldn't it? There are downsides to everything. So, why not go ahead and buy when everyone else is, somewhat better selection, at least; but exchange those gifts on the 6th of January, not on the 25th?)

Regards,

Old Sigma

I agree wholeheartedly that Love must be the guiding principle in all that we do. And I have always been for using our spending in ways that reflect both good stewardship and promote evangelization. (The Target issue is not one I have to deal with, since we do not have a Target store anywhere near where I live, but there are other stores and other issues that help me to choose the best places and worst places to excercise my financial stewardship.) This is why I think that perhaps the better way to make the statement is to begin to spend less on those friends and family who already have, and sharing more with those who do not. It seems to me that this would help, not just to change the marketing policies of certain stores, but also to change our own hearts, set good examples for our friends and families, and the lives of those we helped. It might also be a better witness for our neighbors to see us doing the work of the Gospel rather than grousing about how we are greeted. Of course, it would cost us more..... The boycott of particular stores that have policies with which we cannot encourage is a GOOD thing. Reforming our own lives to better reflect the Gospel, while doing our shopping at stores that act like they want our business, is in my opinion, a BETTER thing. My point was to go further, rather than to discourage the impulse to act justly. It was just a suggestion, and not meant in any way to be a condemnation of those who follow their consciences in boycotting a particular store. In any case, Merry Christmas and a Holy New Year to all of you....and drop some money in the red buckets along with me as you go by! Ruth

Dear michaelme. Did it ever occur to you that the country we live in will eventually be given over to a new race of people who become the vast majority and we all will have to live within the new laws created by a new ruling class of Americans? This is what is happening now to us and the only way any one of us will retain our identity will be by remaining deeply in communion with Christ. He is our only hope. In the Holy Love of God I am your brother in Christ ...Roy

Dear Roy: Please call me Michael, if you like; michaelme is an unfortunate remnant of a system that will not allow nicknames. Part of the reason for the initial post on this thread was to take a critical (if humorous) look at where we are as a country if we have to substitute the beautiful Merry Christmas with this monsterous greeting and disclaimer. Not a new "race" of people, but a spiritually indigent group are set to take the country to places previously trod by formerly great nations before their sunset. Michael "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried" "The poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese." - GK Chesterton

Classic! I agree with you. Seems our belief as christians has been thrown out with the bath. overcompensation, I guess. One more reason to homeschool.

Dear PTR, One of the shining examples given to us by Pope John Paul 11 was profound recognition of even the slightest hint of faith in others no matter where they came from. I even saw his reception of aborigines from australia in warpaint dancing for rain to their "God" How magnanimous was His Eminence!!! In the Holy Love of God I am your brother in Christ and my name is Roy