'Tis the season

Wonder of Wonders. A trip to Fantasyland Washington Courthouse in full holiday regalia. "Tis the season to be jolly" with "joy to the world"of shoppers. Aisles upon aisles of consumer goodies, heaped high throughout 1,000's of feet of display space, colorful, appealing, sometimes aromatic, reasonably priced and ready for the picking. I am are minded of the signs in restaurants past, "good eats here, " but with a modern take of "good stuff here." At least that’s what I concluded on a recent, shopping trip in Washington Court House, begun with an intake of awesome eye candy at Wal-Mart, seconded by a stop at Aldi, and then continued in other local retail establishments proudly displaying their Christmas wares. Poverty in America has never been so invisible. Rather optimism is highlighted. Good stuff is available to anyone with a credit card or cash. Freedom reigns when it comes to spending choices for Americans in every income stratum. Sparkling illuminations on Court street and festive decorations in specialty stores enhance the spirit of Christmas sharing. Believers in Santa Claus, the personification of gift-giving, can have their fondest wishes come true at Wal-Mart, for example. Ho. Ho. Ho.
Amen. America has come a long way. Why not revel in our progress? No alternative to Fantasy land could be more uplifting this time of year than perhaps a trip to a warm and fuzzy Christmas church service welcoming "all ye faithful." I’m for caroling about how we’re united not divided, how we’re not poor in spirit when it comes to understanding that Merry Christmas music pumped out at the stores, carries home the message of a blessed season.