When December dawns, thoughts turn to the greatest of seasons — Christmas.

A lot of customs have been associated with Christmas since the reason for the season was born more than 2,000 years ago. The birth of Christ changed the world and offered hope and eternal life to all who believe in him.

Today there are some who do not want to identify the greatest of all holidays by its true name. Sure, retailers want Christmas gift giving to keep growing, but some have reverted to calling Christmas “the holidays.”

Of course the true meaning of Christmas is not the gift giving, decorations or parties. Nevertheless, activities observed in honor of the Christmas season should always be indentified as Christmas observances.

I plan to stop shopping in stores that do not clearly identify the Christmas season. In a country where 83 percent of the people identify themselves as Christians, this great season needs to be given the respect that it is due.

So, in the future, there will be no “happy holidays” from me. My greetings and observances shall always be identified with a big “Merry Christmas.”

I urge you to stand strong in recognizing and praising Christmas in all you do and say.

The birth of Christ was the greatest event for mankind since the beginning of time, and I urge everyone to always identify the season as “Christmas.”

John G. Kines Jr.

Disputanta