Comment by PaulHoule
I was a little steamed when my son came home from school with a pamphlet about winter festivals which listed all of them except for the astronomically correct one that us pagans celebrate.
On the other hand, the Christian (apocryphal) idea that hope came into the world on the (almost) darkest day of the year is beautiful to me. As well as the idea that some ancient Hebrews miraculously survived in a cave.
I also like the idea that the celebrations start with advent like they do in Germany or that there are “12 days of Christmas” ending with the epiphany, which is a real astronomical event which is part of the explanation of why Christians celebrate the day that they do. Tomorrow we’re just bumming around the house and getting ready for family to come on Dec 26 and might visit a friend who was born Dec 25 on Dec 25. Sometime in the 12 days we expect to organize a Hogswatch party to enjoy