**** you, Gould. You really stepped over the line.

Thank you, Wally.

The oldest religious festivals at this time of year all celebrated solstice.

Is the tilting of the earth on its axis and the changing of seasons not
scientifically verifiable?

I don't know what faith you might subscribe to, but is it offensive to
recognize a divine hand in the order of the universe and rejoice when the
seasons continue to progress?

Do you think Christians own December 25? The celebration of Christmas was
placed during this week to make it easier for Constantine to impose
Christianity on
the conquered nations of northern Europe.
(It was easier to officially announce that the festivals were in honor of
Jesus' birth than to try to ban one of the most important celebrations of the
year).

The birth of Jesus isn't even mentioned in two of the four biographies of Jesus
in the Bible. Unusual, since most of the other (often somewhat less miraculous)
events are mentioned in at least three. Nevertheless, it could have happened
exactly as the old texts stated.............
but it would be very unlikely that it happened in the last week of December.

"There were shepherds keeping watch over
their flocks by night......"

Shepherds didn't sleep outdoors in Judea until spring. Too cold. Sorry about
the date, but that doesn't make the story any less beautiful, any less
symbolic, or any less important to millions upon millions of Christian
believers.

**** you, Gould. You really stepped over the line.

Last I checked, Christianity is one of the simplest religions of all. There are
only two
unbreakable rules. 1) Love God with all your heart and soul. 2) Love your
neighbor as much as you love yourself.

Based on you comment, whatever sensibility I accidentally offended it certainly
couldn't have been Christian.

Your thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and philosophies are not a threat to me, nor do
I find them offensive. (Your behavior? We won't go there).

I am sorry, for you, if your universe is so small and dark that only those who
agree with your every perspective have a place in it. While you might be likely
to condemn me to hell after death, being stuck in a world of hatred only means
that you get to experience it while still alive. Too bad.

Merry Christmas, Wally. :-)