The prophets of doom are in full cry telling us it will be a “gloomy Christmas.”

But wait. Regardless of what the media will tell you, it can be joyful. What they define as “Christmas” is the frenzied fourth-quarter retail sales extravaganza — and it may not be so hot this year. But for those who seek the true meaning of Christmas in the birth of Jesus Christ, it will be a great holiday.

Do this exercise. Think about the most joyful Christmas you can remember. Was it joyful because you received a lot of stuff? I thought not. So forget about the stuff and be joyful!

My national and international effort to take the commercialism out of the celebration of Nativity began with this article, which appeared in an edited version in the Wall Street Journal. Have a look and see what you think!