This is a familiar saying which we often hear at this time of year. I has a nice ring to it, and it rhymes! But one question comes to mind, "Why is it important to even have a reason to celebrate this mid-winter holiday we call Christmas?" Why not just do it because it’s tradition? After all, Christmas is good for the economy and it feels good. We often hear the saying, "If it ain't broke don't fix it." Some might say of Christmas, "Just do it - don't distract us by asking such philosophical questions." However, in the tradition of the prophets, we believe that it's important to periodically come back to the meaning that we affix to matters which are religious.   Consider these examples in Isaiah: 1:12-17 - When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations-- I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. 58:5,6 - Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Also, we recall the teaching of Jesus concerning tithing, which could be paraphrased, "don't not do it, but make sure you're doing it for the...