Christmas Spirit

　　 Some people say that Christmas is not religious enough, and that the holiday has become such big business that Americans forget it was created to honor the birth of Christ. It is true that people spend a lot of money during the holiday season. Store owners expect to get from 60 to 70 percent of their yearly earnings during the month before Christmas. However, Americans also do many special things to help each other at Christmas time. The Christmas spirit, hard to define, but apparent everywhere during the holiday season, is expressed in many charitable ways. Religious, civic and social organizations, as well as philanthropic individuals, see to it that the poor, the unfortunate, the orphans, the sick, the lonely and the elderly are remembered with gifts and festive food. The Salvation Army, a religious philanthropic organization, is perhaps the best known for remembering the poor. This international organization assists more than two and one half million people in the United States each Christmas. It gives out toys, warm clothing, food and many other kinds of aid. Another organization, the American Lung Association, sends people free Christmas seals. These brightly colored seals can be used to decorate gifts and letters. In return, many people send money to the organization. The money is used for research to help fight lung diseases.

　　 All over America, churches, schools and other groups make their own efforts at Christmas to help the old, the poor, and those without homes or families. It is one of the traditional activities in which all Americans like to take part on Christmas.