The Trouble with Christmas

Ho Ho Ho? No! No! No!

I don't celebrate Christmas. If this makes me a 'Scrooge' or a 'Grinch', then maybe you should take a look at chapter 9... Tom Flynn's book will be of great interest to anyone who has ever thought that maybe Christmas isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, Muslims and Athiests are a diverse group, but the one thing they have in common is not 'fitting' in during the biggest party of the year. Mr. Flynn covers all the basics: lying to you children about Santa is not only wrong, but pointless (why not let your kids love YOU for buying those gifts?); other holidays (such as Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Yule) are forced to become as 'Christmas' as possible, almost none of the traditions associated with Christmas are Christian, Jesus wasn't even born in December, etc. In addition to this, Mr. Flynn itemizes reasons why Christmas has only in the last 100 years become such a bloated, materialistic holiday. He discusses historical figures who have had a hand in this regard. Unfortunately, Mr. Flynn closes his book by decrying religion altogether. This will probably alienate some of the very peole the book is trying to attract--such as some of the above listed groups. The final couple of chapters seem out of place and too preachy.