You know, I think everyone in America has heard the complaint that Christmas has become overly commercial, forsaking its spiritual meaning. Certainly, I had heard this as a kid, and I daresay I even believed it, though I never acted on it, always taking care to ask for lots of toys. Are all children materialistic, or was it just me?

‘Course, as the economy remains deeply depressed, I suppose everyone shall now have to ponder the spiritual aspects of the holiday more; but I wonder whether anyone thinks this is actually an improvement over the old (1990s) way of celebrating.