Time Of The Season

Down at our local mall, the crowds are surging towards Walmart, hunting for a precious bargain that Little Billie and his big sister Roberta won't cast aside two minutes after tearing off the wrapping.

Moms and dads push their wide-eyed offspring forward to have their photos taken as they squirm in the lap of a hairy old man dressed in red robes. At any other time of the year, the same doting parents will be telling their fearful kids to beware of strangers.

But this is Christmas, with its meanings of religion and celebration. And contradiction. But, more than anything else, it's the time when we replenish the coffers of capitalism handing over the remaining cash that may be hiding in the bottom of our purses, wallets and credit cards.

Hallelullah!