Wise Men Didn’t Follow Star To Mall Anti-Hoopla Blatant Commercialism Is Just As Wrong As Ebenezer Scrooge’s “Bah, Humbug.”

Whatever happened to the 12 days of Christmas?

The jolly merchants who bring us Christmas in November are trying to push back the start-up time to Halloween and even earlier. Some of them have had their decorations up for months.

Hallmark, for example, unveiled its new line of ornaments in July, shortly after the rains stopped and summer finally arrived.

In Coeur d’Alene, one department store celebrated Halloween with a Christmas tree decked out with pumpkin lights and a witch’s hat on top (where the star of Bethlehem usually goes). Never mind that Christmas and Halloween are mutually exclusive on a spiritual plane.

Such commercial nonsense negates the reason for the season.

Believe it or not, Macy’s, Santa, et al., didn’t originate Christmas and gift-giving. Nor, for that matter, did the wise men who followed the bright star laden with precious treasure for the Christ child.

When we give gifts at Christmas, we copy God, the greatest Gift Giver of all who, Scripture says, “so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The early start of Christmas not only obscures the Gospel message but also short-circuits the Thanksgiving holiday. We go from dwelling on reasons to be thankful on November’s fourth Thursday to shopping, shopping, shopping until we drop the next day.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with buying gifts for family and friends - as long as you’re prompted to do so by a full heart, not guilt or peer pressure. The festive facade of Christmas lights, songs and bustling people certainly brightens the dreary beginning of winter (before bank-card billings arrive in January).

But the blatant commercialism and lengthening Christmas season are just as wrong as Ebenezer Scrooge’s “bah, humbug.”

Scrooge, however, got it right after the three spirits of Christmas visited. He repented with alms, a goose and heartfelt good will to his fellow man. Afterward, it was said that he celebrated Christmas in his heart every day of the year.

We, too, should practice kindness throughout the year - not just when we hear the Muzak version of “Silver Bells.”

, DataTimes MEMO: For opposing view, see headline: Don’t let grinches bag season’s joy

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