I am writing after recently listening to various concerns raised regarding the labeling of Christmas trees and the related ornaments as holiday trees and items.

It appears the concern is that capitalist retailers are not sufficiently exploiting Jesus Christ in the pursuit of year-end sales. This seems particularly interesting regarding the trees, which originated as a pagan symbol of the winter solstice. I believe you will find no reference to this symbol in the Bible.

For those of us who celebrate the weeks before Christmas as Advent, as opposed to the Christmas shopping season, may we take a few minutes to give thanks for the gift of Jesus Christ and remember some of the things he taught us: Love God, love one another and give your money to the poor. Merry Christmas.

Rick Ness, Auburn