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My family has always done a blending of the Christian with the secular and it's worked out well: Santa (St. Nicholas) for the kiddies and prayer for all. I find that blending the two, touching upon WHY St. Nicholas gave presents to poor kids TO BEGIN WITH and why he continues to love little children mixes wonderfully with Jesus's sentiment on giving and love. We're not a wealthy family - in fact, other than the house, we pretty much border on poor (I gave up my health insurance so I could afford my son's and I'm still on dial up with a free ISP because I work for the company) - but we always give our clothes and toys away to charity just before Christmas instead of E-baying them or having a yard sale. There are people who need our hardly-used clothes more than we do. And, what's most important to me is when you find that perfect gift and you get to watch that person open it. It's a miracle on ANY street.
So, nope. It hasn't changed my outlook at all. I know Jesus is about love and compassion and caring and joy - not hate and disclusion and fear. In fact, I feel sorry for the poor Freepers and Fundies who walk around absolutely afriad to LIVE because they're afraid to die.
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