Greed pushing celebration of the birth of Jesus aside

As happens at this time every year, another Christmas is upon us. Once again for this writer, and I'm sure for many others, it is difficult to remember Christmas is the time of peace on Earth, good will toward men.

All we need to do is look around us at our world today to see that it is anything but!

Sadly enough, the reason we celebrate Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus Christ, has mostly been pushed aside by greed.

Starting in mid-October, we are urged by the social media to buy, buy, buy. Show your family and loved ones how much you care for them by buying them all the presents your checkbook or charge card can bear.

City streets are now decorated with generic snowflakes and Santa Clauses with no nativity scenes or trumpeting angels to be found.

When was the last time you went into a retail store and heard real Christmas carols instead of "Jingle Bells"?

All of this makes it difficult to remember that the birth of our Lord and Savior should fill us with joy and hope.

This year, instead of lamenting about how the meaning and the joy of Christmas is being pushed aside, I intend to do some things to keep Christmas in my heart.

I intend to increase my giving to charities so a few more people get a good Christmas dinner who otherwise wouldn't have one, a few more families food, clothing, and gifts for their children, so that this Christmas will be one of hope instead of despair. Also, so that cures can be found for life-threatening diseases, so those afflicted may live long and happy lives.

All of these small gestures, I know is going to give me a humble measure of happiness, and a much better feeling towards Christmas this year.

Bruce La Bonte

Bradenton

This story was originally published December 20, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Greed pushing celebration of the birth of Jesus aside ."