Editor, Smithfield Times

A friend who now lives in Thailand recently posted photos of the central business district of Bangkok decorated with brightly-colored lights and Christmas trees. Thailand is approximately 95 percent Buddhist and 5 percent Muslim, but all the Thais know about the Christmas holiday, and most know the basic elements of the New Testament story behind it. The Muslims actually know about Jesus and Mary from verses in the Koran.

Other major cities around the world such as Tokyo and Shanghai have their central business districts decorated for Christmas despite being in countries with few Christians. I thought about this when I saw a recent letter in your paper decrying the ostentatious way Christmas is celebrated.

Christmas is a fun holiday. If that can be used to spread a message about Christianity, then so much the better.

Thank you for considering my views,

Greg Vassilakos
Smithfield