The Carr Report: The gift that keeps on giving

The holidays are upon us. This is the season to be jolly. First comes Thanksgiving, then Christmas, and lastly the celebration of a New Year. Christmas holds a special place as the highlight of the big three holidays. While Christmas is a celebration for Christians, other cultures and religions observe Hanukkah and Kwanzaa during this festive season. Like Christmas, these holidays emphasize spending time with loved ones, reflecting on values, and strengthening bonds. Christmas, for Christians, is a celebration of the birth of one of the noblest beings to walk the earth. A person of Jesus’ stature is certainly worthy of a day of honor and respect. The sad reality, however, is that as we approach His day, we hear less about Jesus and more about Santa Claus, sales, and materialism. From my perspective, this shift wasn’t accidental—it was a strategic move by marketing geniuses to turn a day of celebration into a day of commercialization. Retailers account for 50 percent or more of their profits during this time of the year, and many campaigns are carefully crafted to encourage spending rather than reflection. Yet, despite the commercialization, there’s something magical about this season. Christmas remains one of the few...