‘Tis the season to be jolly, so the carol says.

Truth to tell, ’tis the season of a tense consumerist frenzy—and, according to the massed clergy of the land, ’tis the season of more counseling than at any other time of the year.

According to clergy, there’s something about this season that brings a host of issues crawling out of the woodwork.

So, “jolly?”

Permit me to be skeptical.

I’m not saying there’s nothing positive to be found at holiday time—no, not at all.

But our manner of celebration could certainly stand examination with a view to lowering the stress level, if only to reduce the number of times we’ve heard or said something like, “Thank God that’s over for another year!”