In keeping with our December Spiritual Journey Thursday “Gifts” theme, I can’t help wanting to recognize and applaud all those establishments that have risked ridicule or criticism for manifesting Christmas decorations and messages.

Since they benefit from moneys spent in celebrating Christmas, whether they use the decorations as a bait to have Christians spend more money as some cynics accuse, or whether they simply are manifesting their own participation in the holiday–or for any other reason… It is a blessing to see the stores and other establishments decked out for Christmas.

As a case in point, here’s what gladdened my spirits at one local store:

I pray God bless every store that had the guts to acknowledge with signs and decorations why December gift-giving money was being spent–whether they adorned the store with greetings for Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or any other religious or cultural holiday.

. …I know, for my part, given a choice, I choose to spend my money supporting those who are unafraid to name the holiday for which I am spending my money: Christmas.

The witness of stores, like the one whose Christmas message I photographed,  provided a joyful Christmas gift to me as I spent gift-giving moneys!

If you would like to know which businesses are considered Faith-friendly, or if you would like to think of and to share ideas for Christmas gift-giving options apart from store-bought presents, please consider visiting another post of mine.

And, as I conclude in that other post, may our Christmas gift giving and receiving be centered on honoring Him, Whose Birthday it is!

God bless you! Merry Christmas!