Merry Christma$
Dec 19, 2001

      MARINA DEL REY, CA--"This year we need the benevolent business of Christmas more than ever," said Dr. Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute.

      "Instead of criticizing the commercialization of Christmas," said Dr. Brook. "we should embrace it. Christmas, with its brightly colored lights, brilliant decorations, cheerful music, marvelous food and presents, is exactly what we need now: a concrete expression of benevolence and good will among men. What could be more benevolent and show more good will among men than commercial trade to mutual advantage, and the mutual joy that Christmas parties and exchanged gifts bring among family and friends?"

      Dr. Brook recalled what Ayn Rand wrote about the commercialization of Christmas: "The charming aspect of Christmas is the fact that it expresses good will in a cheerful, happy, benevolent, non-sacrificial way. One says: 'Merry Christmas'--not 'Weep and Repent.' And the good will is expressed in a material, earthly form--by giving presents to one's friends, or by sending them cards in token of remembrance....[T]he street decorations put up by department stores and other institutions--the Christmas trees, the winking lights, the glittering colors--provide the city with a spectacular display, which only 'commercial greed' could afford to give us. One would have to be terribly depressed to resist the wonderful gaiety of that spectacle."

      "All I can add to that," said Dr. Brook, "is: Merry Christmas!"


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Dr. Yaron Brook is available for interviews. To interview Dr. Brook or book him for your show, please e-mail media@aynrandcenter.org

For more articles by Yaron Brook, and his bio, click here.