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I watched a great documentary this weekend called "What Would Jesus Buy?" The "Reverend Billy" with the Church of Stop Shopping goes on tour around the country with a choir preaching against the commercialization of Christmas and the focus of attention on expensive gift-giving. Everywhere he went, he recommended giving a gift of love, spending time with loved ones, etc, instead of store-bought gifts (which he also pointed out were probably made in China). The interviews he did with regular people on the street were shocking. They equated getting an expensive gift with being loved. Parents were buying everything their children wanted for Christmas even if it took them 9 months to pay off the debts.

Hmmm... Would Jesus use Netflix? I don't know, but my house mate has a subscription and I'm going to recommend he put this one it the queue. Thanks for the tip! 

Wow, now there's a concept! Giving the gift of time and love, instead of "stuff 'n things". Have you ever actually listened to the words in most Christmas carols? Many of them talk of spending time with friends and family around a warm hearth, enjoying good food together, etc. I don't remember singing about how Wal Mart or Macy's profitted this year! Of course, most of these carols were written when people didn't have much. Sure, gift-giving is great when it's from the heart. But what a great message to get out of the commercialized rut we've been in.

Commercialized? America? I don't know what you're talking about.... And my favorite Christmas Carol will always be:

"You can't wrap hope

You can't wrap happiness

You can't wrap Embarq 19.95 a month for as long as you have the service...."