The following is not meant to be a “Bah, humbug!” commentary on Christmas, itself a joyous occasion in the Christian calendar.
It is simply meant to be a moment of reflection on how much we as a nation GIVE at Christmas, in the true sense of the season – a season of sharing.
Specifically, how generous are we as individuals in our charitable giving at this time of year? Do we pat ourselves on the back because we dropped a dollar or two in the Salvation Army basket while spending hundreds shopping at the mall, feeling that we have done our part?
I’ve heard it said that it’s not what you give that counts, it’s what you have left.
In the hustle and bustle of the season, how much do our hearts (and wallets) go out to help others outside of our circle, especially the poor of the world?
Hey, it's not just about helping people. Consider that Americans spend $8 billion on Christmas decorations alone, a figure that is almost 4 times what we even give to protect animals and the environment.
A typical American child receives 70 new toys a year, most of them at Christmas.
8 in 10 dog owners buy their pet holiday gifts, as do 6 in 10 cat owners.
Source of statistics: "Who Gives a $*&t?" on Mother Jones Web site.
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