For many thousands of years, the occasion of the Winter Solstice has been the object of celebration. In antiquity, the wine and meat and grain from the fat months was still good, and it was best taken before it spoiled. Way ancient peoples understood primitive astronomy, and celebrated the shortest day of the year. Why not? From the Solstice until the Equinox, days get longer.
But there's more. In ancient times, the Greeks took into their homes evergreen boughs. Not that the Mediterranean climate was deficient of evergreens, but there were seasons, after a fashion. They also revered mistletoe, which fruited about this time. The giving of gifts was common on this occasion as well.
The Druids, however, also took evergreen trees into their homes at the occasion of the Solstice. Those particular pagans were notorious for alleging souls to trees, from whence comes our superstition of "knocking on wood". Such knocking awakened the wood spirits to do the bidding of the Druids.
I could go on. The Winter Solstice has been for many generations a time for celebration of life, for the search for the best in our fellow humans. God knows, so to speak, that we need at least one day a year to do this. I suggest we do it more often.
The Winter Solstice is the traditional birthday of many godmen. Why not? It only gets better from here, as the days get longer. Even my Christian friends will admit that nowhere in the Bible is Dec. 25 mentioned. It is a matter of mythology and tradition and culture, as is most of Xmas.
And so be it, and so let it be enjoyed! Understand that the Winter Solstice has been celebrated long before Jesus, and for reasons that are beside him, such as fellowship, gifting, feasting, jollity, imbibing, visiting friends and family, and charity of mind and means alike.
I wish you a Merry Christmas, such as it is called these days. It is a fine Holiday for believers and Rationalists alike.
DF