Belated Christmas Wishes

Before we get too late into the season, I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas.

Too soon, you say? Well, at least one national chain started its Christmas advertising before Halloween. If you get the feeling that the Christmas season is getting longer and longer, you are right.

Many years ago, the season began when Santa made his appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Now it starts as soon as merchants get shelf space from their last big holiday extravaganza - which is now Halloween.

What used to be a Christian holiday has now morphed into the largest retail sales blitz of the year. Religion is lost in the materialistic orgy that consumes so many Americans in November and December.

Instead of Christians worshiping their God, Christmas is now a frenzy of people buying gifts they can't afford, with money they don't have, for people who don't need it.

Spare me the insanity, at least until I have had my fill of turkey. And, this year, instead of trying to play one-up with your gift buying, give a little more to charity.