Merry Christmas to All And To All Good Night

Christmas is many things to me-- light in the darkness, warmth in the midst of cold, the birth of a child who would change the world,although now it is pretty well established that Jesus was not born on December 25th.

The early church fathers rather cagily co-opted the pagan competition by assigning the birth of Christ to December 25th to coincide with the Roman festival of Saturnalia, the Nordic festival of Yule, and the birth of the Persian sun god Mithra. I like to think that our modern Christmas celebration incorporates elements of many, or perhaps all religions. In it's feasting and gift giving it is inclusive and secular to embrace those who adhere to no religion as well. It is for everybody.

At its heart, Christmas is the eternal wish of humankind for the love of God, the rebirth of hope and the brotherhood of man. It celebrates the return of light in the darkness. It celebrates birth in the face of death, joy in the face of despair and love in the presence of indifference or hate.

May all of us, whatever our culture or clan, share this holiday in the true spirit of Christmas. God knows, this year in particular, we all need it:-)