The Utne article I read and am responding to is from the Nov.-Dec. issue entitled "The $100 Christmas, How we Unstuffed our Holiday Tradition" by Bill McKibben.

This article expresses much thought into the real meaning of Christmas. Many people celebrate this holiday in many different ways. The true meanings behind many of our "Expensive Holidays" can cause us to take a step back and realize what exactly are we celebrating? Are we celebrating how much money we can spend, or are we celebrating Christ, or are we celebrating family and being together. Everyone's definition will vary from religion to religion, but we as Americans need to get a grip on whatever it is we believe is really what we are celerating.

As the author writes about the issue of Christmas, there is really no reason to be spending the oodles of money we do at Christmas time. If we went with the idea that we only spend $100 for Christmas, not only would we be helping and assisting people with our debts that occur so often around Christmas, but the many other factors that also occur with it. Consider the paper recycled, the toys thrown away, and the gifts that people never use. All of these factors come into play.

The most important factor that comes to the forefront is the meaning of givng and receiving. A gift that has been handmade by a person, has much more feeling of what the the idea behind it really is about.

I had heard of this practice ( not to this extent) so I suggested it for our family. We decided to try it for the adults as an exchange, it worked out very well, some people received birdhouses while others received different types of homemade bread. I think adults are NOT the ones we have to convince that it's all about giving and receiving, we need to stress this idea with our children.

I would hope to see this become an issue that all religions could discuss to some extent to help get a grip on Christmas. IF money didn't matter what would we truly want to give someone?

-- Anonymous, February 28, 1999

Answers

Hello Sara: My name is John Hansen. I am the new discussion facilitator. I am an instructor in the Communication Department at UMD. Your comments are right on the money. Do you think that as teachers we have a role in begining this discussion? I ask that because it seems to me that many of us are looking for ways to simplify and improve our lives. This seems to be one of the areas of approach. That would mean that it is more than a religious question. What do you think? Please let me know. John Hansen

-- Anonymous, March 01, 1999

I also read this article and wished that I had read it before Christmas. The stress of shopping and buying gifts takes us away from the true meaning of Christmas. This year my church had an advent festival where the symbols of Christmas were discussed and parents had the opportunity to make crafts with their children. It was the most memorable part of my Christmas. I think as teachers we could also talk about giving and lead children in a service project so that they begin to really understand the joy of giving and helping others.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 1999