My two-cents worth and then some. An online journal by LP Brown.
This boomer remembers a childhood when the Christmas holidays were considered 
by many to be a sacred time and a beautiful season, when colorful red, yellow, and green lights illuminating festive scenery, were widely displayed on private homes and lawns, in neighborhood church yards and at other public facilities. Even on the most frigid days, passersby wearing warm coats, hats and gloves would stop outside storefront windows and “Ooo” and “Ah” over nativity scenes or an animated Santa Clause and elves. But that was long ago, in a less tumultuous time, when it was not politically incorrect to say “Merry Christmas.” And, as society transitioned to the contemporary “Happy Holidays” other changes occurred.
In recent years, the Christmas season seems diminished. It has evolved into an annual tug of war between believers and non-believers as Christians and atheists square off. One side upholds the occasion as a Holy Season celebrating the birth of Jesus; embellishing the event with religious exhibits, evergreen or artificial trees decorated with multi-colored ornaments and other signs of Christmas. Contrarily, opponents see the observance as a myth and express their disdain with public condemnation and strategically placed anti-religion signs. Each side is fundamentally devoted to their cause. Once in a while, the argument over the right or wrong of placing a nativity scene on public property is carried by the American Civil Liberties Union all the way to the Unites States Supreme Court.
Regardless of one’s belief or non-belief a mutual show of respect is owed to both sides. Atheists continue to advance their platform without giving second thought to their status as non-believers, and they do not see their conviction as a precursor to suffering consequences in an afterlife touted by Christians. On the other hand, old school Christians persist in defending Christmas as they saw it in the years B.A. (before atheist) intrusion.
Whether the greeting exchanged during this festive time of year is Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or Bah Humbug, undoubtedly most people would prefer to see joy in the world regardless of the season.
Mark Madoff, 46, one of Bernard Madoff’s sons was found dead today in his Manhattan apartment of an apparent suicide, on this 
the second anniversary of the senior Madoff’s arrest for swindling billions of dollars from a long list of investors including some of his closest friends. In Brian Ross’ book “The Madoff Chronicles” Bernie is portrayed as a man who showed more contempt than concern for everyone except himself. Weeks following the public disclosure of Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, two of his victims committed suicide. Another participant in the ruse died in October 2009, reportedly drowned in his own swimming pool. Today’s issue of the Business Insider reported “This new punishment will likely be harder on Bernie Madoff than his 150 year jail sentence. It will also be far harder on Madoff’s wife and Mark’s mother, Ruth, who has otherwise been ostracized, humiliated and stripped of most of her wealth . . . and it will be harder on the rest of the Madoff family, including Mark’s children, who are Madoff’s grandchildren.” In light of this most recent Madoff related tragedy one is reminded of Exodus 34: 7 “ . . . and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.