Christmas!!! (11/15)

Christmas is in the air -- ALREADY! Malls are decorated, street lights wear wreathes, we even had a come before school with your family and help Lincoln decorate their tree activity. While you shop, in the subway stations, and even on the radio Christmas carols can be heard. What's worse is that no one seems to mind. We think Christmas tends to be a little overdone in the States. Materialism runs rampant. But I think we take for granted what Thanksgiving does for our culture. We literally fight media's messages with "And we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet!!!" Thanksgiving makes us reflect and say, "Wow! It's the end of November already? I should be thankful for something." Then we dive guilt free into our Christmas splurgings. Here, there is no "stop and reflect". It's just plunge right ahead. And, people here are following after American materialism quite closely. There is quite a difference though between the Have's and the Have Not's. But, I did see someone walking out of a local shopping center with two life-size dolls for some spoiled little girl. All the pretty lights and tinsle are getting to me too. I've caught myself singing with the carols and eyeing up potential Christmas presents. We really are fortunate people with lots to be thankful for!