",,,bring back CHRISTmas....and those who don't like it can go shove their intolerant backsides in the snow" -- the irony was not lost on me, Lizzie. Thanks for pointing out that there's no set form for intolerance.

I was raised Christian and I'm a non-believer these days, although you'd need a checklist with thousands of yes or no answers to determine what I do or don't believe in. I think it's possible that everyone who says they're Christian might need a hundred or so fewer questions.

Christmas is, for me, a time when loved ones get together and just try to be a little bit better. It's white and red and green. It smells like spruce and pine, cinnamon and cloves, roasting turkey, sage and thyme. It's tinsel and ornaments and lights and packages wrapped up in brightly colored paper. It's visiting with friends and neighbors. I know what it feels like to celebrate the religion, and I know how it feels to just celebrate the time of year. I think that whatever you celebrate is fine, but best if love and generosity are part of it.

The stores are just cashing in on the tradition. Buy stuff or ignore the sales--they don't force people to believe anything--they don't even force anyone to buy their wares. Businesses can never control what's in people's hearts, and I find no reason to think they should be trying to.