...and a happy New Year!

I love Christmas. I love everything about it. Especially in cold-weather cities like Boston, New York, and Baltimore.  I even like all the religious symbols: the Magi, the manger, the Virgin Mary, the angels, the shepherds. Although, being an atheist, all these lovely and reverent Christian symbols are no more meaningful or real to me that Frosty or  Rudolph. But I like them just as much. So when I hear people complain about the commercialism of Christmas, I think they're pains in the ass. If the greedy businessman wants to make a bundle and is willing to spend a fortune on over-the-top decorations, fabulous store windows, and lavishly lighted holiday displays,  fine. And I am just as annoyed at anyone whining about the creche in front of City Hall. If Christians want to add their religious symbols to the holiday spirit, that's okay with me. There will always be nutcases like Bill O'Reilly who insist there's a war against Christmas. He has to fill his pathetic hour somehow. But there's no war. There's only an exciting gift-giving, good-natured season for everyone, especially children who couldn't care less about the meaning of Christmas. All they care about are the lights and the toys and Santa Claus.
Christmas. What's not to like?