Will You Have a Merry Capitalistmas?

Fox News and Bill O'Reilly have become even more of a joke with their "War on Christmas" campaign. In order to divide religious people along crass political lines, they pose as defenders of Christianity intent on fighting off imaginary enemies who want to tear down all religious expression. In doing so, they are destroying the holy values of Christmas and replacing them with superficial economic ones.

Whether you're a Christian or not, most of us understand what Christmas is supposed to be; it's when Jesus' birth is celebrated and all his gentle actions and compassionate beliefs are held up as a model. Bill O'Reilly's Christmas is a five year-old's vision of Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and brightly wrapped presents. It is only one step removed from Halloween as a time of frivolity and commercialism.

Christmas started early this year. I've watched as the business channels breathlessly await sales results for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Green Monday, and all the other days of Christmas. You see, the economy depends on you spending money this Christmas season. If the consumer... I mean, if the Christian doesn't spend enough, no one can be joyous. If the shopping bags aren't filled with care, if our hearts aren't jingling at the register, if the malls aren't jammed with revelers spending with abandon, how can Jesus be adored?

O'Reilly and Fox are trying to merge the religious with the capitalist. By extending the season, by bringing holiness to the public square, by joining deep religious meaning with shallow Madison Avenue ad campaigns, they are the ones who are mocking Christmas. You'd have to be a nonbeliever not to partake in the capitalist... I mean, Christian holiday.

I should offer some advice here; be kind to strangers, love your enemy, take care of those around you, and make sure not to measure your Christmas spirit by your credit card bill, but I know that is a message long gone stale. So, instead, I will only offer you the most profound and hearty season greeting I can muster; to one and all I say, have yourself a very Merry Capitalistmas this year!