[quote:1mckcy1o]VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Benedict warned on Sunday against rampant materialism which he said was polluting the spirit of Christmas.
“In today’s consumer society, this time of the year unfortunately suffers from a sort of commercial ‘pollution’ that threatens to alter its real spirit,” the Pope told a large crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square to hear his weekly Angelus blessing.
He said Christmas should be marked with sober celebrations and urged Christians to display a nativity crib in their houses as “a simple but effective way of showing their faith and conveying it to their children.”
Last year, under Pope John Paul, the Vatican launched a high-profile campaign to urge Roman Catholic Italy not to compromise the spirit of Christmas through excess or dilute its message out of fear of offending a growing Muslim population.[/quote:1mckcy1o]
Not that it’s news. I just want to say that as big a materialist as I am, I completely agree. Every year now I push on my family the idea of severely limiting gift buying. It’s too much hassle anyway. Everyone’s lives would be a little less stressful if they avoided the constant driving and running in crowded stores.