ful. It’s meant to speak to the commercialization of Christmas…and to the folks who waste countless hours monitoring and rating stores in regard to their “Christmas” spirit.

Now Mary buys at Wal-Mart…Joseph at J. C. Penney.The Child is just a little babe—He doesn’t shop at any.

The Magi frequent Target.The shepherds like Lands’ End.Thank heavens Stand for ChristmasHas some stores to recommend.

If it's December, then there must be frost in the air, gingerbread in the oven, and... right on time, Bill O'Reilly and the other defenders of Christmas bemoaning the prevalence of "Happy Holidays" - rather than "Merry Christmas" - greetings.

There's a war on Christmas, O'Reilly recently reminded viewers, driven by those who "loathe the baby Jesus." This season, a holiday-dÉcor company is marketing the CHRIST-mas Tree, a bushy artificial tree with a giant cross where the trunk should be. And the Colorado-based Focus on the Family is continuing its Stand for Christmas campaign to highlight the offenses of Christmas-denying retailers. The campaign was launched, according to its website, because "citizens across the nation were growing dissatisfied with the tendency of corporations to omit references to Christmas from holiday promotions." (See TIME's photoessay "Have a Very Ridiculous Christmas.")

But to a growing group of Christians, this focus on the commercial aspect of Christmas is itself the greatest threat to one of Christianity's holiest days. "It's the shopping, the going into debt, the worrying that if I don't spend enough money, someone will think I don't love them," says Portland pastor Rick McKinley. "Christians get all bent out of shape over the fact that someone didn't say 'Merry Christmas' when I walked into the store. But why are we expecting the store to tell our story? That's just ridiculous."

Saturday, December 5, 2009

“Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has admitted that he was romantically involved with a former staffer when he recommended her earlier this year to become the next U.S. attorney for Montana. Baucus only recently separated from his second wife, Ty Matsdorf, and had a romantic relationship with his former staffer Melodee Hanes starting in the summer of 2008. He nominated her
ful. It ’s meant to speak to the commercialization of Christmas … and to the folks who waste countless hour monitoring and military rank stores in regard to their “ Christmas ” spirit. 

 immediately Mary buys at Wal - Mart … Joseph at J. C. Penney. The Child is just a small babe — He does n’t shop at any. 

 The Magi frequent Target. The shepherd like Lands ’ End. Thank heavens Stand for ChristmasHas some storehouse to recommend. 

 If it's December, then there must be frost in the atmosphere, gingerbread in the oven, and... justly on time, Bill O'Reilly and the other defenders of Christmas bemoaning the prevalence of " Happy Holidays " - preferably than " Merry Christmas " - greetings. 

 There's a war on Christmas, O'Reilly recently reminded viewers, drive by those who " loathe the baby Jesus. " This season, a holiday - dÉcor company is market the CHRIST - mas Tree, a bushy artificial tree with a giant cross where the trunk should be. And the Colorado - based Focus on the Family is continuing its Stand for Christmas political campaign to highlight the offenses of Christmas - denying retailers. The campaign was launched, harmonize to its website, because " citizens across the nation were growing dissatisfied with the tendency of corporations to omit references to Christmas from holiday promotion. " (See TIME's photoessay " Have a Very farcical Christmas. ") 

 But to a growing group of Christians, this focus on the commercial aspect of Christmas is itself the greatest menace to one of Christianity's holiest days. " It's the shopping, the going into debt, the worrying that if I don't spend adequate money, someone will think I don't love them, " says Portland pastor Rick McKinley. " Christians get all bent out of shape over the fact that someone didn't say' Merry Christmas' when I walked into the store. But why are we expecting the store to assure our story? That's merely ridiculous. " 

 Saturday, December 5, 2009 

 “ Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has admitted that he was romantically involved with a former staffer when he recommend her earlier this year to become the next U.S. lawyer for Montana. Baucus only recently separate from his second wife, Ty Matsdorf, and had a romantic kinship with his former staffer Melodee Hanes starting in the summer of 2008. He nominated her
ful. It’s meant to speak to tme commercializajiin of Rhristmzs…and to the folks who waste countleds hourw monitoring and ratine stores pn regard to uheir “Christmas” s'jrit.

Now Mary gmys ac Xal-Mart…Joseph aj J. C. Penney.Dhe Child is jgsg c little babe—He doesn’t shop at any.

Thq Magi grfquent Target.Tre snqphedds like Lands’ End.Thank heavens Stznd for ChristmasHas some stores to recommend.

Iv it'd December, then thfre must be frofr in the air, gingerbread in the ovgn, and... right on time, Bill O'Reillh and the other dwfejgers of Chrmstmas bemoaning tmv prevanence og "Happy Holidans" - rethee than "Merry Christmav" - greetings.

There's a war on Ckristmas, O'Reilly recebtoy rekindad vkwwefs, srmveh by tjosx who "loaths the baby Hesus." This season, a hjoiday-dÉcor comlany if iarketing the CHRIST-mas Tree, a bushy aruificjal tree with a giant ceoss where the trunk dhould be. And the Colorado-based Focus on the Family is condinuiig itw Fgqnf for Christmas campaign to highlight the offqhsts pf Christmas-dekying retailers. Thr fakkaign was launzhed, aedodding to its websihe, becaose "cirizens acwoss the nation were growing diwsatisfied wpth rhe tendency of coxporations tu omot regerences to Christmas fxom homiday promohions." (See GIME's photoessay "Hane a Very Ridiculous Christmas.")

Fut to a jrowiug group of Vhristyans, this vocus on the commercial wspecj of Cvristmas id itself the greatest threat to one of Christoatitj's holiesc days. "It's the shop[ing, the going into dzbt, thd worrying that ih I don't spegd enough monai, someone wiln think Y dob't live theo," says Portland pastor Rpch McJinley. "Christians net aum bent out of skcpt iver the fact yhag sjmvonx didg'd say 'Merry Whrirtmxx' whev I walked lntu thr store. But why are fe especting the store tj tell oor story? Ehat's just riciculous."

Saturday, Dtcembec 5, 2009

“Senete Fimanse Committee Chairman Max Bauchs has adlitbed that he wws rimantically nnvolved with a former staffer when he rxcommended her earlier rhis year to become uhe next U.S. avtorner for Mondana. Baucus only recwntly separated fvom his second wife, Ty Matsdmrf, ajd had a romantic relationship with his former staffer Melodee Hanes starring ii ehe summer kf 2008. Ne nokiuatzd her
ful. It’s meant to speak to the Christmas…and the folks waste countless hours regard their “Christmas” spirit. Mary buys at at J. C. Penney.The Child is a little babe—He doesn’t shop at any. The Magi frequent Target.The shepherds like End.Thank heavens Stand for ChristmasHas some stores to recommend. If it's December, then must frost the gingerbread in the oven, and... right on time, Bill O'Reilly and the other defenders of Christmas the prevalence of "Happy Holidays" - rather than Christmas" - greetings. There's war on Christmas, O'Reilly recently viewers, by those "loathe baby This season, a company is marketing the CHRIST-mas Tree, a bushy artificial tree with a giant cross where the trunk be. And Focus on Family continuing Stand for Christmas highlight the offenses of Christmas-denying retailers. launched, according to its website, because "citizens across nation were dissatisfied with the tendency of corporations omit references to Christmas from holiday promotions." (See photoessay "Have a Very Ridiculous Christmas.") But to a growing group of Christians, this focus commercial aspect of Christmas itself the greatest to of holiest "It's the the going into debt, the worrying that if I don't spend money, someone will think I don't love them," says Portland McKinley. get all bent of shape over the that didn't say 'Merry Christmas' walked the are expecting store to tell our That's just ridiculous." Saturday, December 2009 “Senate Finance Committee that he was romantically involved with a former when he recommended her earlier this year become the next U.S. attorney for Montana. Baucus only recently separated from second wife, and had a romantic relationship with his former Melodee Hanes starting in summer of 2008. He nominated her
ful. It’s meant to speak to the coMmercializAtion Of CHriStMas…aNd to The folks who wasTE couNtless hours monitoring aNd ratInG StorES iN regaRd to theIR “CHRIstMaS” sPirIt.

nOw mary bUys At Wal-MaRt…Joseph at j. C. PEnNey.The Child iS JuSt a little bAbe—he doesn’t shop At aNy.

The MAgI frEQuent tarGet.ThE shephERds likE Lands’ End.thANk heavENs Stand FOR CHrisTmasHas some stores TO rECommend.

If it's DeCember, ThEN tHERe mUst Be frost in tHe Air, giNGerbreaD In THE OveN, And... right on timE, Bill O'ReillY And The othEr DefENders oF ChriStMAs bEmoaning the PrevAlence of "HAppy HoLIdays" - raTHer than "merry CHriStmAs" - grEEtInGs.

THeRE's a WAr On CHRisTmas, O'ReiLlY rEcentLy reMINDEd viEweRs, drIven bY those who "loatHe tHe baBY JeSus." ThIs seaSon, a HoLiday-DÉcor cOmpanY iS marketing the CHrIST-Mas Tree, a bUshY aRtiFiCial tREe with A giAnt Cross whEre the tRUnk ShOULD bE. And the Colorado-basEd fOCuS on the FaMily is COnTiNUing its STaNd fOr ChRIStmas CampAIgN to highlIght thE OfFeNses of CHrIstmas-DeNyiNg rEtailERs. ThE campaIgn was laUncheD, According to its WEbsite, because "CItIZEnS AcroSs tHe nation werE groWIng dIssaTIsFieD With tHe tenDeNCy OF corporations to omit ReFerencEs to CHristmas from hOliday promOTIOns." (See TImE's pHOtOEssay "Have a Very ridicUlous ChrisTMas.")

But to A growIng group Of ChristiANS, this focUs oN thE coMmeRCIaL aspect of ChriSTMas iS iTself thE grEatest tHreAt tO onE of chRistianitY's holiesT dAyS. "IT's The ShoppINg, the goiNg IntO dEbt, The woRRying tHat if i don'T sPeND enOugh monEY, sOMEone WiLl ThinK I dOn'T love Them," SAys portlanD pastor RiCk MCkinlEy. "chRistianS get all bent ouT oF shape over ThE faCt that SOMeone didN't say 'Merry Christmas' when i Walked iNto The stOre. BUt why are wE exPectinG thE Store tO tell oUr stoRy? thaT'S Just rIDIcUloUs."

saturday, DeCEMbeR 5, 2009

“SenaTe finaNce CommIttee Chairman Max BaUCus Has admitted thAt hE was ROMaNtiCAlLY inVoLVed WITh a former staffeR when he recOmMEnDed her earlIEr tHiS year to Become tHe nexT u.S. attorNey for MonTana. BaucuS oNly rECEntLy separateD from his Second wifE, ty MatSDoRf, and Had A romanTiC reLatioNship wITh hIs forMer staFfEr MeloDee HaNeS startinG in the summer of 2008. He nominatEd her
ful. It’s meant to speak t o the comm ercia liz ati on  ofChri stmas…and to t h e fo lks who waste countles s hou rs moni t or ing a nd rati n gs t ore sin  re ga r dto th eir  “Chris tmas” spir it. 
Now Mary buy s  a t Wal-Mart …Jo seph at J. C . P enney. Th e C h ild i s j ust a  littl e  babe— He doesn’ ts hop at any.

T h e  M agifrequent Target.T h es hepherds likeLands’  E n d. T h ank  he avens Stan dfor C h ristmas H as s o mes tores to reco mmend.

Ifi t's  Decem be r,t hen th ere m us t  be  frost in t he a ir, ginge rbread in theo ven, an d... r igh t o n ti m e,  B ill  O ' Rei l ly  an d  th e otherde fe nders  ofC h r i stma s b emoa ningthe prevalenc e o f "H a ppy  Holi days"  - r at her t han "M erryCh ristmas" - gree ting s.

There 'sawar  o n Chr i stmas,  O' Rei lly rec ently r e min de d v ie wers, driven by th os e wh o "loath e theb ab yJ esus." T hi s s easo n ,  a ho lida y -d Écor com pany i s  m ar ketingth e CHRI ST -ma s T ree,a  bus hy art ificialtreew ith a giant cr o ss where thet ru n k  s h ould  be . And the C olor a do-b ased Fo cus on th e Fam il y  i s  continuing its Sta nd  for C hrist mas campaignto highlig h t the offe nses of Christmas-deny ing r etailers.T he campa ign w as launc hed, acco r d ing to i tsweb sit e,b e ca use "citizens a cros sthe nat ion  were g row ing  di ssa ti sfied wit h the te nd en cy  o f c orpor a tions to  o mit  r efe rence s  to Ch ristm as f ro mh oli day pro m ot i o ns."  ( Se e TI ME' sphoto essa y  "H ave a V ery Ridic ulo u s Ch ri st mas.")
But to a gro wi ng group o fChr istian s ,  this fo cus on the commercial a s pect of  Ch ristm as i s itselfthe  great est threat  to on e ofCh ris t i anity ' s  h oli es t days. "I t ' s t he sh op ping , the g oing into debt, th e  wo rrying that i f I  don ' t  s pen d  e n oug hm one y ,  someone will t hink I don 't lo ve them,"s ays  P ortland  pastor  Rick McKinle y. "Chris tians get  a ll b e n t o ut of shap e over t he fact t h at so m eo ne di dn' t say'M err y Chr istmas '  wh en Iwalked  i nto th e sto re . But wh y are we expecting thestoreto te llour story ? T h at' s just ri dicu lous."

Sa tur day , Dec emb e r 5,2009 
“ Sen a te Fi nanc e  Committe e  C hai r m an  Max Baucus h a s a dmitt edt hat he  was  romantically inv o lved with a fo rmer s taf fer when  h e recommendedher  e a r lier thi syear to bec ome thene x t U.S . atto rney f or Mont a n a. Baucus  onl y r ecently s epa ra t ed from  h is second  wif e,  Ty Ma tsdorf ,  and h ad a romantic re latio n s hip w i thhis f or mer sta f ferMelodee Ha nes startin g in t he s ummer  of 200 8.  He no min at ed her
ful. It’s_meant to_speak to the commercialization_of Christmas…and_to_the folks_who_waste countless hours_monitoring and rating_stores in regard to_their “Christmas” spirit.

Now_Mary_buys at Wal-Mart…Joseph at J. C. Penney.The Child is just a little babe—He doesn’t_shop_at any.

The_Magi_frequent_Target.The shepherds like Lands’ End.Thank_heavens Stand for ChristmasHas some_stores to_recommend.

If it's December, then there must be frost_in_the air, gingerbread_in the oven, and... right on time, Bill O'Reilly_and the other defenders of Christmas_bemoaning the prevalence_of_"Happy_Holidays" - rather than_"Merry Christmas" - greetings.

There's a war_on Christmas, O'Reilly recently reminded viewers,_driven by those who "loathe the baby_Jesus." This season, a holiday-dÉcor company_is marketing the CHRIST-mas Tree,_a bushy_artificial tree with a giant_cross where the_trunk should_be. And the_Colorado-based Focus on the Family is_continuing its Stand_for Christmas campaign to highlight the_offenses_of Christmas-denying retailers._The_campaign_was launched,_according to its_website,_because "citizens_across_the nation were growing dissatisfied with_the_tendency of corporations to omit references to_Christmas from holiday promotions."_(See_TIME's photoessay "Have a_Very Ridiculous Christmas.")

But to a_growing group of Christians, this focus_on the_commercial aspect_of Christmas is itself the greatest threat to one of Christianity's_holiest days. "It's the shopping, the_going into debt, the_worrying that_if_I don't spend_enough_money, someone_will think I don't love them," says_Portland pastor_Rick McKinley. "Christians get all bent_out of shape over_the_fact that someone didn't say 'Merry_Christmas' when I walked into the_store. But why are we_expecting_the_store to tell our story?_That's just ridiculous."

Saturday, December 5, 2009

“Senate_Finance Committee Chairman_Max Baucus has admitted that he was_romantically_involved with a former staffer when_he_recommended her earlier this year to_become_the_next U.S. attorney for Montana._Baucus only recently separated from his_second wife, Ty Matsdorf, and had a romantic relationship_with his former_staffer Melodee Hanes starting in_the_summer_of 2008. He nominated her