Christmas is upon us - and there's that surreal feeling of the doldrums at the end of the year. As a humanist I find myself thinking about the religious and pseudo-religious aspects of this time. Did the church take over pagan festivals to erase them, and, if so, did pagans just occupy the time of the winter solstice in a celebration of having 'turned the corner' between the old year, survived, and the hope of a new one to come?
Should we call it 'Christmas'? Everyone else does, and I can't really think of anything that sounds more appropriate. Chill, let it go. Happy Christmas everyone, and let's look forward to the New Year and those lengthening days leading towards the hope of spring.
If I find a suitable alternative to 'Christmas' I'll let you know ;)
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