TIM HUNT

The spirit of Christmas is something which should be remembered despite the yearly turmoil of buying and receiving. Christmas is more than a word; it is a feeling of well‑being and prosperity which should be prevalent in the heart of every American around December 25.

Is Christmas a religious holiday? Certainly we should not take the Christ out of Christmas. This time of the year might even be considered a time of rebirth, not merely the anniversary of the greatest birth. When Jesus was born the world was deep in a period of hatred and uncertainty which was not rectified until after the death of the Lord's Only Begotten Son. When we take this matter into consideration can we not truly say that the birthday of Christ is a feeling?

Nowadays problems of trade and business have taken much too large a scope. The person who does shopping on the Eve of Christmas, a sacred time in itself, is as much at fault as the self‑seeking merchant who keeps his store open on this day. Certain pastors in Des Plaines have initiated campaigns to close all food stores on Sunday. Why not a campaign to close stores on Christmas Eve?

Stores and shopping centers, in some cases, have completely lost sight of Christmas with their calculated programs to eliminate competitors. Certainly, stores

do put up trees, decorations, and ornaments. But is this Christmas? I hardly think that the festive port of Christmas can take the place of the sacred aspect. Yes, it is indeed a shame that when the rain turns to snow and when summer's heat turns to winter's cold, that storekeeper's eyes must also turn to dollar signs.

Lack of understanding and religious prejudice have hindered the universal celebration of Christmas. Be Christ Savior, Prophet, or Doctor, I do not believe any person would deny my interpretation of His life as the greatest example of suffering and love for a common man.

What can we do to change the vicious cycle to which we have succumbed? This is indeed a puzzling and interesting question. First we must help ourselves and our neighbors to understand the true meaning of Christmas. We must forget racial, religious and financial prejudice. These are the things which Jesus Christ wanted us to do. We must not lose sight of true meaning even when involved in last minute shopping, holiday dating, or working.

Our most important task, however, is that of rebuilding the spirit of Christmas until each of us is strong enough to make the journey through life as the Wise Men made the journey through strange lands to Bethlehem. Can we do this? Of course we can.