As this story is posted, we are approaching the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. For much of our country, the winter holidays are a study in excess, with a strong emphasis on consumerism.

It’s certainly true that retail businesses make a big chunk of their money in the winter holiday season. And we are certainly rooting for a strong holiday season for retailers, because they make up about 70 percent of the U.S. economy.

But we don’t personally have to give in to the commercial aspects of these holidays — or any holiday, for that matter.

Many holidays have their roots in religious tradition. Christmas, Hanukkah and Easter certainly fall into that category. (more…)