I had originally written a long blog post for today, Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. The post listed links to several electronic goodies you could buy this holiday season. I just erased the whole thing.

In all good conscience, I cannot continue to promote the commercialism of Christmas.

This isn’t an anti-capitalism diatribe (and it’s definitely not a high-tech blog post). I fully understand the need for merchants to make money. It’s good that people are reminded of others and give them gifts. I would hope that such effort is voluntary and deserved, but it appears to me the gift-giving is more out of social pressure than good will. Not only does that destroy the original intent of Christmas, but it adds to anxiety and builds stress that people just don’t need.

My observation is that Christmas is a religious holiday that’s been subverted by commercialism. As such, I’m refusing to contribute to that subversion.

My position isn’t against the holiday itself. This year I’m doing Christmas lights. I enjoy them. They’re beautiful and inspiring. I’m setting up a Christmas tree. I’m singing the carols. I wish everyone I meet a Merry Christmas. The rest of it — the presents, the gifts, the commercialism — I’m avoiding.

In the temple courts He found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves He said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”

I don’t need to spend money to let people know that they’re appreciated. I’ll give my time, my love, and my support. As far as gifts are concerned, I give them year ’round, so I will not contribute to the problem of plastering merchandising over a religious celebration.