I was afraid I missed it. But the War on Christmas is back, and bigger than ever.

Largely a creation of people with a distinct political agenda, this seasonal battle rears its ugly head every time a business or prominent person or organization dares to remind us November and December are not solely reserved for Christian holidays. Anyone says, “Happy holidays!”, and Fox News declares the first salvo has been fired.

I, too, see a War on Christmas, but it has nothing to do with a few wimpy words.

I see it in the outrageous number of people suffering for lack of good medical care, in the thousands of families being evicted from their homes while executives at their mortgage companies take home seven-figure bonuses.

What greater assault is there on the spirit of Christmas than war-themed video games and movies being advertised as perfect for holiday gift-giving in the season of peace? And doesn’t Christmas suffer an enormous black eye when retailers sell items at such deep discounts, that their employees must rely on foodstamps and charities for their holiday dinners? Charles Dickens thought it did.

Christmas is not well served when charities scramble for every last cent to meet an increasing demand for services, while churches hold onto their wealth of property, buildings and other treasures, carefully laid up on earth. Nor is it honored by those who shame the poor for needing help, no matter what their circumstances.

The War on Christmas exists, as surely as poverty exists among ever-increasing numbers of children and our legal system fails over and over again to protect them. It exists so long as the percentage of children whose parents aren’t working increases and the number of children covered by health insurance decreases.

When we care for our children, the least among us, those who suffer, then I’ll start wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Until then… Happy Holidays.

END NOTE: “Happy Holidays” is this country’s largest paper tiger, easily created and easily destroyed. You want a War on Christmas, step onto the battle field of child poverty. Here’s a list of armies you can join to help:

http://www.michiganschildren.org/

http://www.childrenscharitiescoalition.org/

Variety Children’s Charity

Children’s Wish Fund

Children’s Aid Society

Make a Wish Michigan

What are your favorite children’s charities?