The real meaning of Christmas

[BurtWorm]

Or any winter solstice celebration, for that matter, it seems to me, is all about taking stock of the year that has passed, acknowledging one's most meaningful relationships (or cementing social bonds, to be sociobiological about it) with tokens of affiliation (ie, presents), and creating a circle of light in the midst of seasonal darkness.

This seems to be the original meaning of the pagan holiday, at any rate, and it's probably why gift-giving and getting, which I confess to be oppressed by more and more with each passing year, are becoming more and more central, as our memories get shorter and our distance from nature increases.

Just a thought.