Don’t Let Grinches Bag Season’s Joy Pro-Hoopla Glitz Can’t Overshadow The Joy Of Christmas.

Even the humorless holiday cops (see editorial above) would agree it’s OK to think about Christmas today. So now that you have their permission, replay the Christmas story in your mind. Bring back your favorite Christmas memories and enjoy them again - even if it makes you ache for those who no longer are with you.

This is the time of year when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus with acts of kindness and good will. Words such as helping, giving, family and friends all describe the mood that surrounds the season. And it heals our spirit to bring those words to life. The timing of that spiritual healing is best left to individuals and not regulated by the narrow-minded view of the self-righteous few.

We mark this festive time of year by decorating trees (blue spruce are the best) and trimming our homes with brightly colored lights. In the spirit of giving, we shop for special gifts for our special people.

Yes, Christmas comes with a surge of commercialism. And it seems to come earlier each year, but national and local economies benefit greatly from Christmas spending. Many small businesses couldn’t survive without the holiday season. College students and others who need extra money can find temporary employment.

But for people with a weak compass, the glitz can overshadow the joy of Christmas. Their little brains begin to sizzle and pop when they see a Christmas decoration in November. They sneer at neighbors who turn their Christmas lights on before Thanksgiving. And they make profound statements such as, “All this commercialization makes me sick.”

You see, their feelings for Christmas are infected by the commercialization they hate. Too bad. But that’s no reason to let this grim gang decide when we can and can’t begin to celebrate the holidays.

Reasonable people let the TV commercials go in one ear and out the other until they’re ready to listen. Reasonable people know the spirit of Christmas exists outside Nintendo, Barbie dolls and bad ties. It resides in their hearts - and only their hearts can tell them when it is time decorate the house.

It’s been a rough year for a lot of people. They probably have good reasons to want to rush the holiday. Maybe they’re tired of the hard times. Or maybe they’re sick of the cynicism. Maybe they need the healing a season of good will can bring. Maybe we all do.

, DataTimes MEMO: For opposing view, see headline: Wise men didn’t follow star to mall

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