By PATTI WAGNER

We've come a long way from apples in cotton stockings, and Christmas trees decorated with candles and bows.

We've come a long way from carolers who sang not for money but good cheer.

Christmas, it seems, has caught up with today's dilemma. The corner lot that once reeked of the fragrance from pine trees is now buried under by brick apartments, car exhaust, and "Hey, we better give the mailman $10, and maybe we'll get better service."

Polk Brothers is experiencing quite a boom in the plastic Santa Claus business, but the candy counter has recalled the candy canes, because a rat hair was found in one.

"Miss, can you show me where the artificial Christmas trees are? By the way, whatever happened to the real ones?"

"I guess they've cut them all down."

The stores are filled with the bustle of shoppers, walking, running, hoping they've made the right decision, buying more than they can afford, swearing under their breath because their checks are starting to bounce "And you know Timmy breaks his toys the first day he gets them."

I think maybe someday it will change. Maybe someday people might start to think about Christmas. Maybe someday people might start to think about Christ. I mean that's what it's all about; isn't it?

(And yes, we've come a long way from the first Christmas day!)