LETTERS: CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS BECAUSE OF CHRIST

To the editor:

This is in answer to the recent Speak Out comment, "Some weren't celebrating."

If the caller doesn't want to celebrate Christmas, that's up to him or her. But to call the observance of Christmas pagan is a slap in the face of Christians who observe this festival out of thankfulness to God for the gift of his son Jesus Christ, the world's savior.

The very work "Christ-mas" indicates this fact. We admit that no one knows the exact date of the birth of Christ, but that's beside the point. The birthday celebrant, Christ, is not ignored.

Many churches, various organization and individuals engage in humanitarian work of helping the poor and needy not only on Dec. 25, but every day of the year.

Our Lord, in his account of the last judgment, enumerates the good deeds his followers have done in faith to fellow human beings in the words, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethern, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40).

We don't have to put Christ back into Christmas. He's there already and always will be. Think about it.

LEONARD A. KUEHNERT

Altenburg