I hate, I despise your festivals,
         and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
  Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
         I will not accept them;
     and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
         I will not look upon.
  Take away from me the noise of your songs;
         I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
  But let justice roll down like waters,
         and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

                                                  Amos 5:21-24

 A Jewish friend once told me that he never felt so alien in America as he did at Christmastime.  I was in listening mode when he spoke, so I didn’t respond with what first came to mind, namely, “Me too, buddy, me too.”