Christmas or Saturnalia?

I hate to do this, but I've been kind of forced. A couple of things first for the record: I don't judge people for their beliefs, I'm just putting on perspective why I don't agree with some things, including the origin of this blog. I know I'm going to rub the wrong way some of you, but don't take it personal, this is simply a response to some of my friends that still don't understand why I'm the way I am, and for those who kindly read, simply enjoy a little of history. Well, here it comes:
I've been seeing a lot of wagging fingers reminding us at every opportunity to remember the "Reason for the Season," and inevitably, these folks are referring to Jesus. The truth is, not very many of the traditions associated with Christmas are Christian- or have anything to do with the birth of Jesus. The world's oldest and most universally popular holiday celebration has always centered around the winter solstice- marked by the ancients as the birthday of the sun- after which the days get progressively longer, warmer, and more temperate. In cold climates, this celebration was a very welcome break from the monotony of cramped quarters, lean meals, and frayed nerves. In ancient Rome, the largest Solstice holiday was the Saturnalia, in honor of the harvest god Saturn. Not many people today have heard of Saturnalia, or know that most of our popular holiday customs are directly descended from the ancient holiday season.
Saturnalia was a big holiday- businesses and courts closed for days. The halls were decked with holly branches and evergreen wreaths. People visited family and attended lavish banquets and holiday parties. Gifts of silver, candles, figurines, and sweets (often tied to evergreen wreaths) were exchanged; sounds familiar?. It was also customary to light candles and roam the streets singing holiday songs (albeit often in the nude).
Even the "Christmas Tree" was a common sight.
So how did a raucous Pagan celebration become associated with Christianity? Very intentionally (John Chrysostom, a fourth century Bishop, wrote: "On this day also the Birthday of Christ was lately fixed at Rome in order that while the heathen were busy with their profane ceremonies, the Christians might perform their sacred rites undisturbed. They call this (December 25th), the Birthday of the Invincible One (Mithras); but who is so invincible as the Lord? They call it the Birthday of the Solar Disk, but Christ is the Sun of Righteousness.)
At the time the date of Jesus birth was officially assigned as Christ's birthday, Rome was pretty thoroughly Christianized, but the former pagans were more reluctant to give up the holiday than they were their gods. After brushing aside inconvenient facts (such as the bible's own accounts placing the birth of Jesus in the spring), the names were changed- but the holiday remained the same. Elements of popular Pagan nativities were borrowed to create a backstory fit for the new god, from the heralding star to the shepherds visiting the newborn in his cave. (more information about this "borrow thing" upon request). Before that time, Christians had one holiday- Easter-and no reason to celebrate the birth of their god, a very pagan tradition (indeed, a number of nativities were celebrated at Christmas-time, including that of Mithras, known throughout the empire as 'the light of the world,' and the nativity of Sol Invictus, the birthday of the sun) Before then, Christians avoided any birthday celebrations as inappropriately pagan. So, the next time you're quizzed over the "reason for the season," just toss off a "Saturnalia" and leave them scratching their heads.
I'm done, gotta do some christmas shopping....