The Christians were good marketers. Rather than telling the pagans they couldn't have their holidays any more (or we'll convert you to death), they co-opted their traditional celebrations and rebranded them. Christmas is just the ancient solstice festival wrapped up in a new package.
In most places in the world, it's cold now and would have been cold then; the days are short. But the winter solstice marks the moment when the days start to get longer. It'll get warmer. Spring will come. This, too, shall pass.
To me, this seems to be an appropriate time for quiet celebration. Though we still are suffering from two plagues--one, a man, the other, a virus--we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The winter solstice celebration is all about hope and renewal. Now, I don't believe the Jesus myth (though the man certainly did exist) or in Santa Claus, but I do believe in what they're supposed to represent. Peace on earth. Goodwill to all men. That means something, even now, even during these final days of our democracy and our civilization.
And yeah, let's all break out the booze!
