On Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:55:48 GMT, JohnH wrote:

Some will argue that the lighted boat parades have nothing to do with
Christmas, and some of the parade officials have taken the word out of the
parade's title. But, we know what the parades are *really* commemorating!

Of course the whole tradition of celebrating the Chritmas holiday with
lighted trees, etc. actually goes back to pagan holidays in northern
Europe which were celebrating the passage of the shortest day of the
year. The Roman Jesuits, being ever practical, decided that it was in
the best interests of their mission if people were allowed to retain
some semblance of their old celebrations.